Charles C. Saur was born on December 11, 1901, in Sparta, MI. Gladys Irene Gaut was born in 1905, in Sparta, MI.

The following biographical sketches were updated by Charles and Gladys for the 45th reunion of the class of 1941, held August 16, 1986.

Left click on the image below for a much larger version.

Charles and Gladys Saur appear in the upper left portion of the group photograph above. Apparently taken in 1924, each would have been at Godwin only a matter of months.

Gladys (Gaut) Saur - 1928.

( Material provided by Lewis Lull, class of 1940, scanned and sent by Craig Lull, class of 1970.)

The Saur's - 1929.

Material provided by Lee (Tanner) Collins, class of 1941.

The Saur's - 1929. By this time there was a grade school on Division Avenue, and a high school being completed on Allan Road, which would become 36th Street. This apparently necessitated the school having a superintendent, and a principal for each school.

( Provided by Alta May Keiser, class of 1929 ( did not graduate ), who collected the material, Lee (Tanner) Collins, class of 1941, and Joanne Dulyea Hamilton, class of 1951, and the daughter of Alta May Keiser. )

Charles C. and Gladys G. Saur - from the 1938 annual.

(Photographs provided by Kim (Shepard) Brown, class of 1970.)

( Photograph and information provided by Lee (Tanner) Collins, class of 1941. )

The Saur's in 1941. By this time the grade school on division plus additions, the high school building and several additions, the libary, the tunnel under Division Avenue, and the playground and sports facilities on the ten acres Frank Rackett sold the school in about 1936, were all added under Charles Saur's watch. A Quonset Hut, purchased from a defunct government program in 1946, and used as an industrial arts building, would be the last major facility added to the school system by the time he retired from the school on July 1, 1950. Many of the buildings and facilities benefitted from goverenment spending during the Great Depression, and Charles Saur clearly knew how to take advantage of the spending and jobs programs for the benefit of Godwin and the surrounding community.

Left click on either image below for a much larger version.

The piece above is from March 24, 1950, and the photos were probably taken about then. The occasion seems to be the delivery of one of several dual control cars for use in a drivers training course, supplied by Friendly Chevrolet.

Possibly the side of 36th Street, it's not clear whether the road has been paved yet.

Just 48 or 49 in the photographs above, Charles Saur's time at Godwin would be over in about three months. He had resigned, effective as of the end of the school year in 1950. It was the schools loss. When he arrived at Godwin in 1923 there was only a one room school house. By the time he left in 1950 all that is seen behind him and more comprised the Godwin that students in the late 1940s through the 1960s would have known, save only the physical education building and North and South Godwin elementary schools.

Material provided by Lillian Annis, class of 1941, and Lee Neugent, class of 1948..

The end of the Saur era was at hand. Gladys Saur left Godwin for a stint at Western Michigan college, and brought 24 years of hands on experience to her new post. Whether the things she knew could be taught, or had to be learned on the job is unclear, but her students certainly had the chace to hear what teaching is really all about from a pro.

Charles Saur would leave Godwin on July 1, 1950. Why is not exactly clear, but in some sense the Saur's work was done. By 1950 Godwin was a first rate highschool, atuned to the needs of the area. The energetic duo had guided the school successfuly for 25 years. Perhaps it was simply time to do something else. No doubt enemies were made. No one that accomplishes anything can escape having some. It does not seem that any detractors were enough to cause the Saur's to pack up however, but if it was enough, it was Godwin's loss.

After retiring from Godwin, the Suar's moved to 1415 Forrester Street, SE. Just few blocks south of 28th Street, and off Kalamazoo Avenue. They eventually had a winter place at 606 Carefree, Venice, Florida, 34285-2903, in 1993, and later at 816 Turf, Venice, FL, 34285-2928. After retiring from Godwin, Charles Saur started the Enamelite company at 3160 S. Division, just two doors south of Godwin. See secton "L" for some details, and a photograph of the location. He also became active in Iwanis International.

Left click on the image below for a larger version.

The piece above was supplied by Peter Metzke, of Australia, who has an interest in topics in American history.

The piece mentions that Charles Saur "has been active in community affairs in the Grand Rapids area for many years," which is a vast understatement. He energies and community involvement are what made Godwin in to the institution that served the needs of the area for qualified workers in business and industry, and sent many others off to college to prepare for still other roles. In a sense he was active in community affairs his entire life. It is what he did, and Godwin was perhaps the finest expression of his efforts.

Gladys Sold the house on Forrester Street after Charles died, and lived in Florida for the rest of her life.

Gladys and Charles Saur in 1986, attending the 1941 45th class reunion. They were 81 and 85 years old, respectively, and still going strong.

( Photograph and information provided by Lee (Tanner) Collins, class of 1941. )

Gladys and Charles Saur on August 18, 1990, attending the class of 1940 50th reunion.

( Photograph provided by Louise Lull, Godwin class of 1940. )

Gladys and Charles Saur on March 15, 1992, attending the mini class reunion in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

( Photograph provided by Louise Lull, Godwin class of 1940. )

Gladys and Charles Saur celebrating their 66th wedding anniversary, in 1995. He was 94, and she was 90.

( Photograph provided by Louise Lull, Godwin class of 1940. )