Robert Neal Sawyer

Robert Neal (Bob) Sawyer, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the age of 87. Born in Bedford, Iowa, Bob was a cherished resident of Maryville, Missouri, where he spent his later years with family and friends.

Bob, a 1960 graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, was a man of great intellect and passion, earning his Doctorate of Education from the University of Wyoming in 1966. He dedicated his career to shaping young minds, initially as a junior high teacher and counselor in Stanton, IA, Maryville, and Bethany, Missouri. At the University of Missouri - Rolla, he was an Associate Professor of Psychology and Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Named an ACE Fellow in 1976, he left UMR for Duke University in Durham, North Carolina where he directed summer education programs as well as teaching undergraduate and graduate classes in psychology and education. He earned Professor Emeritus status from Duke University in 1993.

While at Duke in 1981, Bob founded and directed the Talent Identification Program. Based on their SAT scores at age 12, TIP identified gifted youth in a sixteen-state area. These students were invited to attend the TIP summer residential program at Duke, or other participating universities. While on campus, students completed the equivalent of a semester college course in three weeks. TIP grew and prospered—spawning Duke University’s Precollege Program. His commitment to TIP and his students left a lasting impact on thousands of lives.

After retiring from Duke as a Professor Emeritus, Bob was Director of the Louisiana Scholars' College and Office of Programs for Gifted and Talented students at Northwestern State University in Louisiana. He also maintained Educational Professorships at Longwood College in Virginia and Francis Marion University in South Carolina. “Dr Bob’s” retirement found him in area classrooms as a substitute teacher.

Bob’s life was rich with interests and hobbies. He had a particular fondness for older Ford Mustangs, enjoyed tending to his yard, and was an avid fan of college basketball and football. Above all, he cherished all activities with his grandchildren and loved traveling to visit family.

He is survived by his wife, Katherine Hann Sawyer; his son, Dr. Paul R. Sawyer, and wife Susan of Hammond, LA; his daughter, Elizabeth Webber of Nashville, TN; his brother, Tom Sawyer and wife Claire of Bedford, IA, and his sister, Sondra Parman of Marion, IA. Bob was a proud grandfather to Hannah Webber and her husband Rick Moore, Dr. Katie Webber, Adam Sawyer, and Matthew Sawyer. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Maurees Kenyon Sawyer and Vivian Scott Sawyer; brothers, John, Bill, and Charles Sawyer; sisters, Elise Tranbarger and Kay Dinsmoor; and one nephew and one great-nephew.

A funeral service to honor Bob’s life will be held at the First United Methodist Church Maryville, MO, Friday, January 16, 2026, at 10:30 am. Burial will be at the Ohio Cemetery in Burlington Jct., Missouri at 1PM. Arrangements are being handled by Bram Funeral Home.

Memorials may be directed to the New Nodaway County Humane Society or First United Methodist Church Maryville, MO.