Born to Ellen and Leo Saine in Two Harbors, Minnesota, Dr. Brian Saine was an active member of the South Bend/Mishawaka, Indiana, community. In high school, Brian and Carol (Anderson) began dating when, on opposite sides of a double-date, it quickly became apparent they were the better match. Brian would later throw rocks at Carol’s bedroom window at night to get her attention.
Fifty-three years ago, they married and since have shared a loving, devoted relationship. Carol survives along with their four sons, Christian D. (Andrea Wilson) Saine of Bay Village, Ohio; Peter A. (J. Alex Sanger) Saine of Chicago, Illinois; Stephen M. Saine of Mishawaka; and Jonathan P. Saine of Barrington, Rhode Island; seven grandchildren, Mitchell, Beck, Olivia, Camille, Annabel, William and Spencer; sisters, Karen (Dan) Leksell of Duluth, Minnesota, and Kathleen (David) Falk of Two Harbors, Minnesota; numerous nephews and nieces; and deep, decades-long friendships.
Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Ellen Saine. Brian attended the University of Minnesota, Duluth. In 1967, he graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine.
Brian completed his residency in ear, nose and throat (ENT) in Portland, Oregon. From 1972 through 1975, he served in the United States Air Force and was stationed with Carol and their two oldest sons in Lakenheath, England, ending his military career as a major. After his honorable discharge in 1975, Brian and Carol settled in South Bend where they built strong relationships in the community.
Until 2010, Brian treated patients with his practical and caring demeanor in his practice in South Bend. A dedicated physician, his family knew the buzz of his pager and remember his responsiveness to those in his care. From an early age, Brian participated in sports, including hockey and golf.
He also loved snow skiing and was an accomplished long-distance runner, having completed five marathons. During his high school years in Two Harbors, he qualified for the Minnesota high school golf championship. Brian also played golf in college for the University of Minnesota, Duluth.
After moving to South Bend, he continued to hone his golf game at the South Bend Country Club, where he won seven men’s championships and ten invitationals – one with his son, Christian. Brian also won the 1997 Indiana Senior Amateur Golf Championship. Perhaps one of the greatest inventions for his marriage was the mobile telephone, resulting in Carol’s ability to find him on the golf course.
Brian’s son, Stephen, has special needs and was a frequent companion. It was hard to go anywhere in South Bend without a “Hello, Dr. Saine” or “Hello, Stephen” ringing through the air. Always on the go and active, Brian went to the gym at five a.m. to “get his workout in” – even in his retirement.
He also enjoyed working in their yard with ongoing landscaping projects, travelling with Carol, and following the lives of his sons and grandchildren. He especially loved holidays and weekends at home when “all the boys” were able to visit at the same time. Brian’s dedication to the community was far and extensive.
For more than 40 years, he was an active member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in South Bend, holding various positions over the years, including church council president and frequent liturgical assistant. Brian and Carol also served on the Protective Services Board at Logan Center, which honored them for their service and dedication. He could be seen and heard by his sons behind the bench when coaching the Irish Youth Hockey League.
In 2017, Brian’s mother, Ellen, died in Two Harbors at the age of 101. Given Brian’s family genes and own good health, determination and grit, his diagnosis with terminal brain cancer shortly thereafter in May 2018 was a shock to everyone. Brian handled his diagnosis and the resulting disease progression with grace (laced with his usual stubbornness and resilience – requesting physical therapy two times per week to “keep his darn strength up”).
Throughout his lifetime and last months, Brian enjoyed the love and support of family and dear, decades-long friendships. During his final months, Brian stated, “I am fortunate. I have had a pretty good life.
I just want to know that Carol, Stephen and the rest of you will be okay”. Even in his final weeks, Brian’s focus was on his family. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00-4:00p.m. and 6:00-8:00p.m. on Friday, February 8, 2019 at Palmer Funeral Home—Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN.
A memorial service for Brian will be held at 11:00a.m. on Saturday, February 9th at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 17195 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN, with additional visitation from 10:00-11:00a.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Brian’s name to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church – Building Fund, 225 Haney Ave. , South Bend, Indiana, 46613, or LOGAN Center, 2505 E. Jefferson Blvd.
, South Bend, Indiana, 46615. Online condolences may be left for the Saine family at www. palmerfuneralhomes.com.
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