Robert Savard

Bob’s battle with glioblastoma ended on July 10, 2026. Robert Francis Savard, Jr. was born on October 16, 1949, in Albany, NY, to Robert F. Savard, Sr. and Helen Buckley Savard. Raised primarily in Wethersfield, CT, Bob graduated from Wethersfield High School, then attended St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH, graduating with a degree in history in 1971.

Bob began his work life at Aetna Life Insurance Company in Hartford, CT. His final role at Aetna, college recruiting, was the precursor to his successful career as an executive search consultant. After working for several international search firms, Bob founded the Desmond Group, LLC, a retained search firm, in 2005, from which he retired in 2018.

As an avid golfer, Bob was a member of Black Diamond Ranch, his home course in Lecanto, FL, and Manchester Country Club, his course in his beloved second home, Manchester, VT. At Manchester, Bob won multiple club and senior club championships. He was also proud of his several state titles, the most recent of which was the 2020 Vermont Senior Legends Amateur Championship. Bob was a student of golf architecture and could remember every course he ever played. He loved the game and the camaraderie of his golfing buddies.

Bob believed in donating the three Ts: his time, talent and treasure. He served on the Boards of YMCAs in the Hartford, CT, area. Upon his relocation to Florida in 2008, he joined the Board of the Citrus County YMCA, where he chaired the Philanthropy Committee, which raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the Y’s mission. Along with his annual support, he contributed to campaigns for the construction of the YMCA building and subsequent additions. He believed strongly in the Y’s focus of building strong minds and bodies.

Perhaps his philanthropy was most evident in his continued association with his college, St. Anselm. Bob devoted an inspirational amount of time, energy and financial support to his beloved alma mater. The Welcome Center bearing his name is the first building most prospective students and their families enter when they arrive on campus. He also supported the Career Development Center, the new Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences and the Robert F. Savard Annual Scholarship. Bob was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2020 and continued to serve until his passing. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Business degree in 2024.

Following his diagnosis of glioblastoma in October, 2023, Bob embarked on a journey of supporting other cancer patients. He felt it was his calling to provide messages of hope and inspiration, all while fighting his own battle. He quoted a part of Jim Valvano’s famous ESPY speech by urging folks to do three things every day: laughing, spending time in deep thought, and letting emotions out. To these, he added moving your body and hugging those you love.

Bob wore a gray (glio’s color) bracelet with the words “never, ever give up” on it. And he never did. He continued to live with hope and purpose, battling a horrendous disease with no cure. He didn’t lose his battle. It just ended.

Bob is survived by his wife, Susan, whom he married on December 24, 2011; by his stepson and daughter-in-law Kyle and Christine Dailey, and their children Chase, Blake and Jordan; and his stepson and daughter-in-law Collin and Heather Dailey. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law Janet and Paul Lewis; his nieces Christina Lewis and Caroline Lewis; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Sharon Burley and Charles Cernansky.

As Bob wished, a funeral mass will be held in the Abbey Church at St. Anselm College, Manchester, NH, on July 24, 2026 at 10:30 am. A memorial mass will be held at his church, St. Scholastica Catholic Church in Lecanto, FL, with a Celebration of Bob’s Life to follow at Black Diamond Ranch, this fall.

Should one so desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Robert F. Savard Memorial Endowed Scholarship, c/o James Flanagan, Sr. Vice President of College Advancement, St. Anselm College, 100 St. Anselm Drive, Manchester, NH 03102, or to the YMCA of the Suncoast Citrus Branch, c/o David Reed, Branch CEO, 4127 W. Norvell Bryant Hwy., Lecanto, FL 34461.