Arthur Saunders Obituary Saunders, Arthur William III died peacefully at home early Sunday morning, August 19th, 2012. He was surrounded by his loving family. He was 61 years young. Art was born April 5, 1951 to Lois Duxbury Saunders and Walter Barnwell Saunders, both of whom predeceased him. He is survived by the love of his life, Robbie (Roberta) Ewing Saunders; daughters, Christina Ewing Saunders and Alyssa Mellum Saunders (fianc, Eric Bigham); and his favorite mother-in-law, Mildred Lorraine Ewing (Meme). He is also survived by siblings, Sallie S. March (John), John D. Saunders (Mary) and Susan S. Zoidis (Greg), his 6 nieces and nephews and his faithful companion, Elmo. Relationships were of paramount importance to Art. He was a great friend to many, making and keeping lifelong friendships. This includes The Blake School (1969), The University of Denver (1973), The Scramblers for 25 years (golf group, founding member), The Blake alumni hockey teams, all the youth he coached and families whom he touched on innumerable hockey teams. He indelibly marked each friendship with his personality. Art enjoyed an enormously successful career as a healthcare consultant for more than 25 years. He worked primarily with physician groups and networks in areas including management information systems, physician compensation design and practice operations. In 1992, he became the managing partner of Partners Consulting Group Ltd which was acquired by Towers Perrin in 1987. In 2001, he was one of 6 Principals who spun off from Towers to form Partners Heathcare Consulting which was merged with Wipfli LLP in 2005.As a partner with Wipfli's healthcare practice he helped lead its significant growth until his retirement in December 2011. Throughout his career he was sought after as a speaker, authored numerous articles and was loved and respected by clients and colleagues alike. Art approached every day with a smile and he particularly enjoyed being with his family at Love Lake, sailing with his two girls and spending time on the dock or on boat rides. Generations of Saunders family members and friends attest to the magic of Love Lake. Art made it his priority to maintain and share it. Robbie and Art have celebrated 35 years of a beautiful marriage. Together, as best friends, they have been an unstoppable team, especially fighting Art's Glioblastoma, stage-four brain cancer. Throughout this 2 year, 8-month battle, Art showed all of us how strength, grace, humor and love can prevail in the face of great adversity. We thank all the members of Artie's Army, our incredible team at the Mayo Clinic, Park Nicollet, and our amazing assembly of nurses. The world lost an epic husband, father, brother, and friend. The upside is that Heaven just got a lot more fun! Memorial service Friday, August 24th, 2012, 11 AM at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, 17205 County Road 6, Plymouth, MN 55447. There will also be a gathering on Thursday, August 23rd, 2012, 5-7 PM at St. Philip the Deacon. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. -Directly to Art's neurologist, Dr. Jan C. Buckner, for continued research. Please make donations to: The Mayo Clinic (write on check: "Glioblastoma Research, under the direction of Jan Buckner in honor of Art Saunders") Mail to The Mayo Clinic, c/o Emily K. Bawden, Department of Development, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905 -Brains Together for a Cure, (clinical trials & education) Attn: Sue Steinmentz, Brains Together for A Cure, P.O. Box 8353, Rochester, MN 55903 or online at: www.brainstogetherforacure.org  Born: April 5, 1951 Death: August 19, 2012 Share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook.