Richard Byrd Sautter

Richard "Dick" Byrd Sautter, 91, went to be with the angels Tuesday morning, August 24th, 2021 at Brian's House in Essexville. He was born June 19, 1930 to the late Rudolph and Delena (LaCombe) Sautter in their Bay City home. Dick's middle name "Byrd" was taken from Admiral Richard Byrd, Pioneer Aviator, Explorer and Naval officer. He graduated in 1948 from Bay City Central High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army, based in Washington, DC where he served from 1948-1952. While stationed in Germany, he found and met distant relatives. While in the Army, he became a member of the 656 U.S. Topographic Engineers in Germany thus beginning his lifetime career as a printer. After returning home, he was hired by Lambert Printing on Johnson Street. During this time he was introduced by his older brother, Don, to a girl named Mary Rutkowski, whom Don worked with at Wolverine Knitting Mills. They fell in love and were married on August 27, 1955. Soon the family would grow and Dick was hired at The Bay City Times working 24 and a half years in the composing room. He watched as his job went from setting the print type manually to being computerized to where it is today. He enjoyed his job and his coworkers. After his retirement, he spent another 10 years at Bay City Blue Print. Dick was an accomplished golfer of 60 plus years. He played up until the age of 89 with his Tuesday morning league "The Slicers", at Maple Leaf Golf Course and the highlight of his career was a hole-in-one on the 16th hole at Green Hills Golf Course. He was an avid Tigers, Lions, and U of M football fan and watched golf on T.V., trying to pick up pointers. In his earlier days he was a pretty good card player, played baseball in the army and blooper ball for St. Boniface. In 1970 his beloved wife, Mary passed away and he met and married Marian Kaiser. She preceded him in death and he later met Mary Lou Manor, his close companion until his death. Dick was a lifetime member of the K of C Council 2740 Essexville and served as a past usher at St. Joseph's Church and PTA President at its school.
Dick loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren, going to their sporting events and recitals. He was a great story and joke teller, he had a great sense of humor, and could tune anyone out if he wanted to watch T.V. He was also quiet (except talking politics where the vein would bulge in his forehead). He was an honest, independent, easy going, strong, gentleman and loyal friend.
Left to cherish all the sweet memories are his children, Colleen (Richard Smith) Fodo and her children, Jennifer (Tim) David and their children, Tad and Emily David; and Justin (Heather) Fodo; Darlene (Kevin Leinberger) LaLonde and her son, Andy LaLonde; Rick (Julie) Sautter and their children, Alysha (Scott) Goss, Austin Sautter and Ricky Sautter. His extended family, Mary Lou Manor and her son, David Manor; granddaughters, Sarah (Matt) Lampka, Morgan Pajak and Isabella Manor; brother, Gene Trombley and his wife Linda. Special step-son, Fred Kaiser, his wife Karen, and a step-daughter, Cristie (Barry) Parrent. Many great grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, Sophia and numerous nieces and nephews and special niece, Cindy Murray. And of course, his best buddy, who was always by his side, Bitsy.
Dick was preceded in death by his wife Mary; parents, Rudy and Delena; brother, Donald (Sally) Sautter and sister, Betty (Wesley) Shook. His in-laws, Walter and Velma Rutkowski, Edward and Leona Nalazek.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to dad's compassionate caregivers at Brian's House.
Funeral Mass will take place at St. Catherine of Sienna Parish on Friday, August 27, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with military honors to follow. Officiating will be Fr. James Bessert. The family will be present to receive visitors at Gephart funeral home on Thursday, August 26, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The Knights of Columbus will be doing a Bible presentation at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday night. The family will also be present to receive visitors at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you contribute to Brian's House at 664 W. Nebobish Rd. Essexville, MI 48732