Robert Sawada

Master Sergeant, U.S. Army (Retired)

Robert “Bob” Sawada, Master Sergeant, U.S. Army (Retired), was born December 27, 1928, in Zduńska Wola, Poland, and died peacefully the morning of September 11, 2026, in Huntsville, Alabama, at 97 years old.

Bob’s legacy continues through his beloved long-time partner Brigitte Cooper (Huntsville, AL); beloved daughter Maria (Miles) Anderson (Atlanta, GA); son Bobby George Sawada (Hazel Green, AL) grandson Tyler (Maria P.) Anderson, granddaughters Ava and Sarah (Huntsville, AL) ; grandson Ryan (Cannon) Anderson, granddaughter Copeland (Atlanta, GA); adopted sister Suzy (Dr. Terry) Passman (Fairhope, AL) and nephew Hans-Stephan Burgermeister (Munich, GE). Bob was predeceased by his parents and biological sister who died during the Nazi invasion of Poland; beloved wife Dorthea (Huntsville, AL); foster parents Lawrence and Gladys Blatchford (Fairhope, AL); and son-in-law Miles Anderson.

Orphaned at the age of 11, Bob endured the horrors of genocide and human darkness. As a child, Bob was imprisoned at Auschwitz concentration camp, forced into slave labor at Nazi munitions factories, and transferred to Dachau concentration camp. It is estimated, 6 million Poles, Jews and Gentiles alike, were tragically murdered during World War 2. Thru the Grace of God, Bob was spared that tragic fate and boldly attributes his miraculous story of survival from an unwavering will to live thru the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Dachau was ultimately liberated by soldiers of the United States Army 63rd Infantry Division. The American liberators included Captain Lawrence (Larry) Blatchford who would become Bob’s adopted Father. Alongside his adopted Father, Captain Rodman Backus was crucial in aiding 16-year-old Bob to transition into a new chance of life in the USA. In 1946, passing thru Ellis Island, Captain Larry Blatchford and wife Gladys welcomed Bob into their American family.

Grateful for his liberation and the gift of life, Bob enlisted in the US Army in 1948 to repay what he saw as an insurmountable obligation to America. Fluent in five languages, Bob’s skills as a translator proved invaluable in post-war Germany, where he soon married his beloved wife, Dorothea. Bob went on to serve in the Korean, and Vietnam Wars. After 24 years, Bob retired from the US ARMY as a Master Sergeant. His lifetime of service continued as an Electrical Engineer at Redstone Arsenal, serving another 23 years as an Army Civil Servant.

Despite unimaginable suffering—the death of his entire family, imprisonment by the Nazis, serving in post-war Germany and two deadly wars— Bob truly lived a Joyous life. Bob sincerely was a Kind soul, a Gentle spirit, truly thankful for the “Gift of Life”.

Bob chose to lead a life worthy of his calling. Full of Joy of service to God, country and neighbors. Bob will be profoundly missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

A Catholic funeral mass will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Huntsville, on September 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM, followed by a military burial at Maple Hill Cemetery.