|
From Kathy Matthews Zimmerman:
| Birth: |
Oct. 12, 1949
Ontonagon
Ontonagon County
Michigan, USA |
| Death: |
Apr. 21, 2012
California, USA |
Theodore Rudolph Saarinen, Jr.
October 12, 1949 - April 21, 2012
THEODORE "TED" RUDOLPH SAARI(NEN)
Theodore "Ted" Rudolph Saari(nen) was the son of Theodore "Rudy" Rudolph Saari and Mary Katherine Saari. He was born in Ontonagon, Michigan on October 12, 1949. He was a Vietnam era veteran of the United States Navy, and attended the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis from 1967 to 1971. Ted earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from California State Polytechnic University Pomona and a Bachelor of Arts from Ambassador College. He married Margaret Ryan in 1980, and they have two children Daniel and Sharon. Ted started a long career in public service with the State of California specializing in water quality. He faithfully protected the health of the families and working people of the High Desert region for 27 years before retiring from public service in 2004. Ted was an erudite scholar and researcher, and his wisdom of the affairs of the world uplifted anyone who had the good fortune to make his acquaintance. Ted was well known as a kind, gentle and honorable man of deep faith who always put the needs of others ahead of his own. After retiring, Ted's health began to decline. He spent the last years of his life in the company of family and friends. His loving wife Margaret cared for him and supported him every day during this time of trials without fail. He was very proud to see the increasing success of his two children, and their prospects for future happiness. We also cannot leave out his loving animal companions Ready, Zeus and Saamikin who enriched and prolonged his life with their love and affection. Towards the end, Ted had few regrets. After his final health events, he lived long enough to hold his first grandchild in his arms in his bed for the first time, and speak to his son one last time who was serving in Afghanistan. When the end came, he was surrounded by loved ones holding his hands at the exact moment the Lord called him home. Theodore Rudolph Saari(nen) passed from this world on April 21st, 2012 at the far too young age of 62. Ted lived the true Christian life of faith and good works every day the best way he knew how. All of his family and friends grieve for the loss of Ted, but take solace in the knowledge that he is with the Lord, and that we will all be with him again in the World Tomorrow. He is survived by his wife Margaret, son Daniel Saarinen, daughter Sharon Saarinen Jones, grandson Rudy Jones, sisters Vicki Burdick, Mary Kay Fiszer, Ginger Saari, and brother David Saari and of course poor little Zeus and Saamikin who miss him so much. |
|
George Hood, Jr. (1971)
I remember Ted from my first year at AC living in Grove Terrace. We were in the same study "room." He was modest, friendly and quiet. I don't recall knowing that he was a graduate of Annapolis. Probably an indication of his modesty. I wish I had come to know him better.