Obituaries

Robert L. Saffell
Died August 17, 2015

Robert L. Saffell, 85, of Leland, died peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, on Monday, August 17, 2015.

He was born in Bloomington, Indiana on March 9, 1930; the son of Herbert and Lillian (Smallwood) Saffell.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Bill Saffell.  He is survived by his wife of 64 years Joanne Olson Saffell, and their children and grandchildren.

Bob attended Birmingham High School, where he met Joanne and established many lifelong friendships that continue to this day.  He went on to attend Miami of Ohio University, followed by service in the U.S. Army, during the Korean war.  Bob and Joanne married in 1951 and started a family that would grow to include 8 children (Cynie, Susan, Steve, Jim, Annie, Peggy, John and Jane).  Those children would give him 17 adored grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.  To them, he was affectionately known as Bumpa. 

He enjoyed a long and successful career in the advertising business and worked for many prestigious firms, including J Walter Thompson and Doyle Dane Bernbach.  His specialty was automotive accounts and he was known as one of the best “car guys” in the industry.  He was loved and respected by everyone that worked with him.  Those friends/colleagues remember him for always bringing humor, integrity, hard work and a keen mind to the job.

Bob and Joanne left Birmingham in 1971 and eventually landed in Los Angeles, where they lived for roughly 25 years, and raised their younger children.  But they never lost their love for Leland.  So, when it came time to retire, they settled “up north”.  In Leland his favorite days were spent playing golf or tennis, enjoying time with his wife and children, their spouses, the grandchildren, and many of their old friends from high school and college. 

Bob lived a long, full, and incredibly good life.   He leaves behind a family and a community that will remember with great fondness: his uncanny ability to charm everyone he met, his hilarious sense of humor and storytelling skills, his kindness and integrity, his interest in politics and fairness for all people, and especially his devotion to his family and friends. 

He was loved.  He will be missed.

No services are planned at this time.

Memorials may be directed to Habitat for Humanity, www.habitat.org.

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