L. Travis Sauerwald

L. Travis Sauerwald, 45, passed away at home on February 6th with a cat on his lap, a dog on his feet, and his wife by his side. He died the way he lived: surrounded by love and completely devoid of personal space.

Travis is survived by his wife Julie Wilson of North Olmsted, OH, parents Lamont & Patricia Sauerwald of Wilmington, DE, sister Courtney Eaton (Nathan) of Bel Air, MD, in-laws Joseph and Judy Wilson of Kent, OH, brother-in-law Michael Wilson (Heather) of Corry, PA, sister-in-law Anne Wilson Yu (Kai) of Sharon, MA, and his beloved nieces and nephews Tyler, Natalie, Emily, Savannah and Samuel. He also leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles and cousins (acquired through birth and marriage), countless friends, and three four-legged children (Duncan, Parker & Roberta) who already greatly miss his physical presence in their lives.

He anxiously awaits a reunion with his grandparents, and hopes to be able to have dinner in heaven with John Wayne, Prince, and Clint Eastwood. Travis understood that the latter was very much alive at the time of his own death, but said he would just hold the reservation until such time as Mr. Eastwood could join the rest of the group.

Travis’ life was unfairly cut short by a disease for which there is no cure. At the time of his diagnosis, even with surgery and the most aggressive treatments available, he was expected to live only 12 to 14 months. In true Travis fashion, he stubbornly defied those odds and nearly doubled his post-diagnosis life expectancy fully living every moment of the 28 months he was blessed to have.

He used his time to try and make a difference for others who, like him, would face a brain cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. He completed two marathons and a handful of other charity races and, in doing so, led the members of #TeamWolverine to raise over $50,000 for brain cancer research programs across the country.

His desire to help others even while facing his own mortality came as no surprise to those who knew him best. Travis was an Eagle Scout who dedicated his life and career to protecting our natural resources. He was a wildland firefighter, a volunteer EMT and fireman, and the kind of person who would pull over on the side of the road to pick up a discarded bottle or can.

In the final weeks of life as he came to terms with the fact that his time on earth was indeed coming to an end, Travis expressed only two concerns: first, he wanted to know what would happen to his cats and, once he was assured by his wife (who is decidedly a dog person) that they would be loved and well taken care of, he then wanted to know what more he could do to help others. From this concern was born the idea for the Trails for Travis Foundation which will carry on his legacy.

If you wish to honor Travis, do so by making a conscious effort to preserve and protect the natural world. Reduce the number of single use paper and plastic products that you purchase and dispose of on a daily basis. Pick up trash that you find on nature trails and beaches. And be kind to creatures great and small.

If you'd like to remember him with flowers, Travis asked that you do so by planting them rather than cutting and sending them to his family – after all, his cats would probably just eat them. He requested that you do not remember him by releasing balloons, in an effort to protect turtles, birds and other unsuspecting wildlife who could be harmed by the remains of this well-meaning gesture. If you’d like to make a financial contribution to the soon-to-be established Trails for Travis Foundation, visit TrailsforTravis.org/foundation-support to learn more and help build his legacy.

Travis asked that his remains be cremated and reunited with the earth in a place that is surrounded by life, happiness and beauty, a process which has begun and will be completed as the weather warms. No immediate services will be held, but a celebration of Travis’ incredible life will take place later this year.