Harry Denby Sauter

Harry Denby Sauter, 97, was ushered into the presence of His Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, at 12:44 pm on Sunday, January 9, 2022, in Rockledge, FL.

He lived a long and fruitful life! He was a faithful servant, wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and “adopted father” of many who loved and served alongside of him over the years. Harry was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Jack and John, and his wife, Norma. He is survived by his sons, Mark (Vesta) and Matthew (Tami), and 3 granddaughters, Mikaela, Bridgette, and Eden, who called him Papa Bear and who he adored.

Born on September 6, 1924, on his family farm, in Grandview, IN to Alex and Flossie Sauter, Harry graduated from Grand View High School where he served as class president in 1942. After a period of working the farm, he joined the war effort in the Second World War in 1944. He trained at the Great Lakes Naval Station and came out as a naval radioman 3rd class and served on various LSTs (Landing Ship Tank) in the South Pacific. His ships evaded various Kamikaze attacks and severe storms and his fleet participated in the Battle of Okinawa.

After the war, he studied at, and graduated from, Purdue University in 1950, with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Soon thereafter married Norma Ruth Cornwell of Rossville, IN. Harry and Norma would move to Bremerton, WA where he worked briefly for a torpedo factory before returning to Indiana to work for American Kitchens in Connersville. It was then when Harry and Norma placed their faith in Jesus, while at First Baptist Church, and would strive to live in obedience to His commands. 

In Connersville, Harry and Norma would start their family. In 1954, Norma gave birth to Mark, their firstborn son, and in 1960, their second son Matthew, would be born in Evansville, IN in 1960. 

Earlier, in 1959, Harry took a job at Potter & Brumfield in Princeton, where he would manage the department of quality assurance until 1985 when he took a job with Hansen Manufacturing. For over 27 years Harry, Norma and the boys called Princeton, Indiana home. An avid reader, Harry also enjoyed wood-working projects in his shop, gardening (including the planting of trees), and trips to Kentucky Lake with his boys to fish.

Harry was a man of truth, integrity, and prayer and had direct influence in his sons following Christ and being involved in mission work. He was a founding member of Broadway Baptist Church, Princeton, in 1960 and taught Sunday School throughout his time there.

After his beloved wife passed away in 1987, Harry purchased a condo in Melbourne Beach, FL and in 1988 retired from his long career as an engineer, but he continued doing consulting work in quality assurance. In Melbourne, Harry was active in his church family at Central Baptist Church and focused his time on his adult men’s Sunday School class and the mission efforts at Central Baptist Church. He loved his Lord Jesus and those who were a part of the local congregations where he served!

Wherever Harry was needed, that’s where you would find him. Every Sunday for over 60 years he led a Bible study and for 25 years he chaired a Missions Committee for his Florida church. For his entire Christian life, he mobilized prayer for the unreached peoples of the world.

Memorial services to be held Saturday, January 29th, at 10:30am at Central Baptist Church in Melbourne, FL. A memorial fund has been established and contributions in memory of Harry can be made to http://www.deafpathway.com/HarrySauter. Deaf Pathway Global is a mission organization working to ensure the Deaf of every nation have the Word of God - a Bible - in their native Sign Language.