Russell E Sawyer Jr.

On Saturday, May 23, 2020, Dr. Russell E. Sawyer, Jr., 84, peacefully passed away with his family by his side. Dr. Sawyer was born on January 8, 1936 in Minneapolis to Russell and Alice (Hammond) Sawyer. He was raised in Minneapolis, MN and proudly served our Country as part of the United States Army from 1954-1958. After leaving the Army, he spent a short time selling insurance. At an insurance conference in Chicago, he first heard about Chiropractic. Shortly thereafter, he visited Northwestern of Chiropractic on a Thursday afternoon. He thought, "Boy that sounds better than selling insurance." Classes for the semester began just four days later on Monday, and that is how his career began! Doctor Sawyer graduated in 1962 from what was then known as Northwestern College of Chiropractic. After graduating Chiropractic school, he moved to Nebraska to open his own practice in Ogallala. In 1967, he moved his practice to Omaha. Dr. Sawyer served his profession and patients for over 30 years and served in various professional and community organizations. He was elected to Nebraska Chiropractic Physicians Association (NCPA) and served in all posts of the NCPA including two terms as President from 1977-1979. Dr. Sawyer was elected as a delegate of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) in 1980, was elected as the Secretary of the Council of Delegates of the ACA in 1986, was elected as the Vice President of the Council of Delegates of the ACA in 1989, was elected Vice President of the ACA in 1992 and was elected as the President of the ACA in 1994. Dr. Sawyer was instrumental in establishing managed care (which is Secure Care) in Nebraska. His visionary thinking helped him to establish this network that started with just 70 doctors and today has over 1000 doctors participating. Dr. Sawyer was elected the Nebraska Chiropractor of the year in 1975, served as the Chairman of the Nebraska State Chiropractic Board of Examiners, Charter Member and First Chairman of the Chiropractic Peer Review Committee of Nebraska, served on the Northwestern's college board of trustees and was named the college's outstanding alumnus in 1988, elected Trustee Emeritus in February 1997 and received the college's Brilliant Star Award in 2011. Dr. Sawyer was also a member of the High Country Chiropractic Knights of the Roundtable and a fellow of the International College of Chiropractic. Dr. Sawyer dedicated a large part of his life to Chiropractic. He was driven by the desire to help patients and to heal them. His knowledge of Chiropractic made him great but that paired with his ability to connect with his patients is what allowed Dr. Sawyer to excel personally and professionally. Dr. Sawyer not only served the Chiropractic profession, he also served several local community organizations as well. Dr. Sawyer was a Shriner, a Mason, a member of the Cosmopolitan International Service Club, and served as a Douglas County Reserve Sheriff. Russell was loved by his family...children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brother/brother-in law and sister/sister-in-law among others. He had a unique ability to connect with strangers and he was always bringing a smile to those around him. For that, Russell will always be missed. Russell’s death was preceded by his first wife Gail Sawyer, second wife, Jane R. Sawyer, and his great grandson Jediah Sawyer. Russell is survived by his daughter, Amy Sawyer; sons, Steve Sawyer, Paul Sawyer, David Fredkin, and Brad Cameron Fredkin; sister, Jill Constable, sister-in-law, Janet Sawyer; 18 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 17th at 10:00am at Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home in Fort Gibson, OK. 918-478-2555.

Russell E Sawyer Jr.

January 8, 1936 - May 23, 2020