Jon Robert Sauer

White River Junction, VT – Jon Robert Sauer, 85, died peacefully at home on July 17, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Jon was born on November 24, 1940, in Schenectady, New York, to Robert Olvin Sauer and Beula Jean (Carson) Sauer. He spent his childhood in Schenectady and the Chicago area before attending Stanford University, where he earned a degree in Physics. At Stanford, he was an accomplished student and athlete, participating in both track and field and basketball. He competed in the 1960 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, an accomplishment he remained proud of throughout his life.

He later conducted his doctoral research at the Harvard-MIT Electron Accelerator on Harvard's campus and received a Ph.D. in High Energy Physics from Tufts University. He often spoke fondly of his years in Cambridge and the excitement of participating in a vibrant research community during a formative period in particle physics.

Science and engineering were the defining interests of Jon's life. Following graduate school, he worked at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory during the early years of high-energy particle physics. After moving with his family to Colorado, he joined Bell Laboratories, where he worked in telecommunications and optical computing. He later joined the faculty of the University of Colorado Boulder, where he spent much of his career teaching, mentoring students, and conducting research in telecommunications, optics, and computing.

Although he was proud of his research, inventions, patents, and technical achievements, Jon often found the greatest satisfaction in working with students. He invested heavily in the education and development of young engineers and scientists, and many former students remained in contact with him long after graduating.

Jon never lost his enthusiasm for tackling difficult problems. After retiring from the university, he founded Eagle Research and Development to pursue nanopore DNA sequencing technology. Later, he worked with his daughters through the nonprofit Medilytix, developing software to assist pathologists in identifying cancerous cells in pediatric oncology specimens. His scientific interests evolved over the years—from particle physics to telecommunications, optical computing, biotechnology, and medical software—but he remained intellectually engaged and actively working throughout his life. Those who knew Jon understood that he was rarely happier than when discussing a new idea, designing a solution to a technical problem, or helping someone think through a difficult question. He was especially proud that both of his daughters shared his interest in science and problem-solving, and he valued the opportunity to collaborate with them during the final years of his life.

In the fall of 1972, Jon met Patricia Valcke in London. Their courtship moved quickly: they became engaged within days of meeting and were married six weeks later, on December 15, 1972, in Brussels, Belgium. What began as a whirlwind romance became a marriage that lasted more than fifty-three years.

Together they built a life in Illinois, Colorado, Massachusetts, and Vermont, raising two daughters and sharing a love of travel. They made many trips to Europe to visit family and friends in Germany, England, and Belgium. Paris held a special place in their hearts and remained one of their favorite destinations throughout their marriage. In retirement, they spent nearly every day together.

Jon is survived by his wife of fifty-three years, Patricia Sauer; his daughters, Alexis Sauer-Budge (Alex) of Lincoln, Massachusetts, and Nadine SantaCruz (Orwin) of White River Junction, Vermont; his grandchildren, Eliana and Zechariah Sauer-Budge and Vivienne and Delphine SantaCruz; his sister, Carolyn Hoefer (Walter) of Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona; his sister-in-law, Judy Sauer of Naples, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brothers Richard, Lawrence, and Paul Sauer.

A memorial service celebrating Jon's life will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Anne's-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, 147 Concord Road, Lincoln, Massachusetts. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend both the service and a reception immediately following at the home of Alexis and Alex Sauer-Budge in Lincoln.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to support pediatric cancer research at Dartmouth Cancer Center, continuing Jon's lifelong belief in the power of science and innovation to improve lives.

Pediatric Oncology

Attn: Polly Anton, Director of Development for Child Health Initiatives

35 Centerra Parkway 3rd floor

Lebanon, NH 03766

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. 

Curiosity has its own reason for existing."

— Albert Einstein