Dr. Robert Joseph Saxer Jr. MD, age 85 of Fort Walton Beach, Florida passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 21, 2017 at the Manor at Bluewater Bay in Niceville, Florida surrounded by his family and clergy.

Dr. Saxer was born in 1932 to Dr. Robert J. Saxer DDS and Madelyn O’Gorman Saxer in Jersey City, New Jersey.  He was married to his beloved wife Ruth Joyce Clower of Mobile, Alabama on December 30, 1954.

Dr. Saxer graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science from SpringHill College in Mobile, Alabama in 1953, and earned his Medical Doctorate from St. Louis University Medical School in 1957. After his internship at St. Louis County Hospital in 1958, and a Pediatric Residency at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital from 1961-1963; he practiced medicine for the U.S. Air Force from 1958-1963.

Dr. Saxer was a beloved pediatrician in private practice at White Wilson Medical Center in Fort Walton Beach for over 30 years. He was a brilliant diagnostician, saving the lives of countless children, and dedicated to his patients’ health and wellbeing regardless of their ability to pay. It was not unusual for him to accept farm produce as compensation for his medical services. The list of participation and service in professional medical associations is extensive including Fellow for the American Academy of Pediatrics and an Associate Fellow for the American Association of Clinical Immunology and Allergy.

In May of 1981, He was ordained to the permanent Deaconate of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Pensacola/Tallahassee.

Dr. Saxer was a heroic advocate for the unborn whose extensive Pro-Life work generated an increasing awareness of the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, a belief that he was passionate about. Through his expert testimony in Tallahassee, he helped shape legislation on life issues in the State of Florida. In 2001-2003, he served as President of the Catholic Medical Association. On a national level, he was a Delegate to the White House Conferences on Families under the presidency of George W. Bush, often attending White House conferences dealing with life issues. Along with his beloved wife Joyce, he enjoyed the unique privilege of two private audiences with Pope St. John Paul II.

Dr. Saxer was an avid mountaineer, making his first ascent of Mt. Rainer in an expedition led by Jim Whittaker of the Whittaker brothers. He enjoyed hiking the Appalachian Mountains with his wife Joyce, children, and grandchildren. He is survived by his beloved wife Joyce Clower Saxer, children Madelyn (Bill) Herman, Robert (Elia) Saxer, Michael (Janet) Saxer, Kathleen Saxer;  grandchildren, Christin (Darren) Roberts, Michael (Abby) Herman, Andrew Herman, John (Bethany) Herman, Meghan Herman, Robert (Katie) Saxer, Ryan Saxer, Stephen (Kimberly) Saxer, Caitlen (Andrew) Babb, John Saxer, Rachel Saxer, Patrick Saxer, Kristopher Partridge, and great grandchildren Brenden, Madelyn, and Jaxson Roberts, William and Bennett Herman, Elisabeth Saxer, Patrick and Henry Babb; sisters Dianne McDonald, Michelle Saxer and Madelyn Bambace. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Robert Joseph Saxer, Madelyn O’Gorman Saxer, son Christopher Paul Saxer, and granddaughter Victoria Ann Saxer.

Visitation will be from 6:30 to 9:30 pm on Tuesday, March 28th at St. Mary Catholic Church. A funeral mass will take place at 9:30am the following day, Wednesday, March 29th at St. Mary Catholic Church followed by interment at Beal Memorial Cemetery. A reception will follow at the St. Mary Parish Life Center for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to St. Mary Catholic School.

Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed online at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com

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