Dr. Jack K. Saunders

Dr. Jack K. Saunders completed a remarkable life on October 6, 2015 filled with faithful service to others, dedication to principle and teaching, promotion of a healthy environment, and an active champion of enthusiatistic hosting and delightful conversation.  He was born on April 29, 1930 and raised in Livingston and Helena with high school graduation in Great Falls.  One of three children, he enjoyed his active family: parents Jack K. Saunders, Sr. and Ruth (Mae Bennett); his sister Jeanne (deceased, Bill Horn), and his sister Barbara (Eugene Peters) of Palm Desert, CA.

Jack attended Montana State University in Bozeman, graduating in 1954 with a Bachelor degree and thesis with field work studying the life cycle of the mountain goat in the Crazy Mountains.  He pursued further studies at Cornell University, graduating with a Ph.D. in 1961 after completing 4 years of field work in Newfoundland, Canada studying the life cycle of the lynx.

He married Mary Joyce Holzberger in 1951.  Together, they raised 2 children: Colleen Marie (Ron Campbell) of Waubay, SD and Kenneth Lloyd (Sherri Fox) Saunders of Helena, MT.  He shared with his children his great love for hiking, hunting and fishing, and to appreciate the plains of South Dakota and the wonders that nature provides.  Jack traveled widely and deeply appreciated all cultures, especially the Native American culture.  During this time, Jack held the position of Professor of Biology at Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD and Director of the Biological Field Station at SDSM&T in Rapid City.

Jack was married to Marilyn (Pollmann) in 1979 in Sioux Falls, SD and they worked together while Jack was Executive Director of the Council of Higher Education in Pierre, SD; Consultant in Business Management out of Victor, MT; and Assistant Manager of the Rapid City Job Service office.  He was honored and committed to a position on the National Board for Western Studies at Augustana University, Sioux Falls, SD; the Board of Bitterrooters for Planning  and Trout Unlimited in Hamilton, MT.  He believed that it is vital to preserve farms and accessible wilderness land, water and air quality through conservation and responsible development for the benefit of present and future residents of the Bitterroot Valley and citizens beyond.

Jack is survived by his devoted wife Marilyn, his two children, one grandson, Jason (Erin) Campbell, and two great grandsons: Nolan and Gavin.  His aunt, Betty (Mereness) Bennett resides in Butte, MT.  Great sources of pride, strength and love were his family, dear friends, hunting and fishing partners, colleagues, and the great outdoors.

A valued gift was the exceptional, dedicated care of Dr. Brett Heath and his clinic staff, and the staff and especially the nurses, CNAs and Chaplin Doug Goodell at Valley View Estates.  All family and friends thank these caregivers for their unwavering support. 

Remembrances may be made to Bitterrooters for Planning, PO Box 505, Corvallis, MT 59828 or the Bitterroot Free Press Foundation,  P.O. Box 8, Stevensville, MT 59870.