Obituary of Michael T. Savage

Michael T. Savage passed away peacefully on Monday, February 1st 2016 at the Village at Penn State from congestive heart failure. Mike had celebrated his 81st birthday in October. Mike was born on October 21st 1934 in Oroville, Ca. He was the oldest child of Sarah Bennett and Guy T. Savage. His siblings are Roger Savage, Guy Savage, and Sandra Rhia. Mike received his B.S. in Political Science and his MA Degree in Public Administration from the University of California Berkley. He married Robin Ward on April 4th 1966 in San Luis Obispo, Ca after a whirlwind courtship. He was the father of a son, Mark McNeer Savage of Burbank, Ca and a daughter Kelly Robin Gansarski of Swiftwater, Pa. He was the proud grandfather of Chloe Belle, and Shelby Ann Gansarski. He was the proud "dog father" of Nittany and Berkeley. Mike was a charter member of the Senior Executive Service at the Department of Housing and Urban Development in San Francisco and Washington DC for over 40 years. He received a National Institute of Public Affairs award to study at the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University from 1969-1970. In addition, he spent three years as the Urban Affairs Specialist on Capitol Hill for the US Congress. Once moving to Black Moshannon for "retirement", Mike ran and won as Rush Township Supervisor from 2008 to 2014. Mike was passionate about working with the constituents in Rush township on important issues such as stopping the dump and establishing the Central PA Source Water Alliance for Protection. Mike always enjoyed sports. He was a soccer coach for many years in Great Falls, VA and enjoyed a brief stint in his mid-fifties on a congressional softball team. Unfortunately, his softball career was cut short due to separating his shoulder sliding into 3rd base. He was an avid Penn State football and Woman's Volleyball fan for the last 15 years. He and Robin were members of the Quarterback Club at Penn State and the Women's Volleyball Booster Club. Mike and Robin were the co-chairs of the Penn State Alumni Association Recruiters for the Northern Virginia chapter of Penn State's Alumni Association for over 15 years. Even though Mike had not graduated from Penn State, he was made an honorary member of the Alumni Association due to his commitment to the school. Some of Mike's favorite memories were made during the summers at their lake property in Sault Ste. Marie Canada, where he would drink Labatt Blue while floating on a raft in the middle of the lake. He spent many summers with his wife, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and their children laughing on the dock. Mike was the self- appointed reader to all of the children who thoroughly enjoyed their time with him. A Celebration of life will be held at Foster Auditorium at The Penn State University Library on Saturday, April 9th 2016 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to The Friends of Black Moshannon/ Clean Water Fund at 4216 Beaver Rd. Philipsburg PA 16866. This is an organization that Mike founded and was in charge of for many years and to which he was extremely dedicated. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.