After a long courageous battle with cancer, Richard "Buzz" Roy Sawyer passed away on December 13, 2008 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital Hospice House. Bom in Cascade, Idaho on November 13, 1935 to Barbara King Sawyer and Glen Willis Sawyer, he was the tenth child in a family of eleven children. At the age of 17, he joined the United States Air Force and was nicknamed "Buzz" Sawyer. He was awarded several commendations, including the Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding service. After 23 years in the military, Richard was employed by Rapid City Area Schools at Kibben Kuster, a school for children with disabilities. He gave love and patience to the children and felt blessed by close relationships in return. After retiring from the Rapid City Area Schools, he volunteered at the Black Hills Community Food Bank for ten years. He also encouraged special education students from the Rapid City Area Schools to get involved with their community by volunteering at the Black Hills Community Food Bank. For the time he devoted, he was awarded the Rapid City Citizen of the Month in March 2006. Since his early childhood in Cascade, Idaho, Richard enjoyed being with family. From his marriage to Janice (Klein) Mahoney he is survived by five children; Kevin Sawyer, Wellington, CO., Brian (Mary) Sawyer, Rapid City, Roxanne (Greg) Schmelz, Rapid City, Ronald Sawyer, Gillette, WY., and Paula (Joe) Korus, Spokane, WA.; thirteen grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. His surviving siblings are Leona Smith, Boise, ID., Helen Hardin, Cascade, ID., Jimmy Sawyer, Coeur d'Alene, ID., and Ray Sawyer, Newport, OR. He was also blessed by a close relationship with the Sprague family in Rapid City. Richard's spiritual life was centered within the St. Therese Catholic Church where he was a faithful parishioner for over 30 years. Visitation at Osheim and Schmidt Funeral Home will be held Wednesday, December 17 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. followed by the Rosary which will be said for Richard at 7:00 pm, at St. Therese Catholic Church. Please join us on Thursday, December 18 at 10:00 am for Mass of Christian Burial and the celebration of his life at St. Therese Catholic Church. Burial will take place at Black Hills National Cemetery at 11.30, with Military Honors provided by TREA Chapter 29 and lunch will be served in the St. Therese hall following the graveside service. There are extraordinary people in life that give to others without looking for anything in return; Buzz was such a person. He was special to all that met and knew him and touched so many lives including strangers and those in need. He will forever be in our hearts and lives as we are blessed to have been in his. At the family's request, in lieu of flowers, memorials have been established at the Black Hills Community Food Bank or Rapid City Regional Hospital Hospice House.