Howard Ferdinand Saiger

Howard Ferdinand Saiger, 86, Topeka, Kansas, passed away peacefully November 4, 2016, surrounded by loving family.

He was born in Chicago March 30, 1930 to Ferdinand Severin Saiger and Elizabeth Madsen, who preceded him in death.

Howard received both a B.S. and an M.S. degree in civil engineering from Purdue University, in 1951 and 1952. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and received an officer's commission
as a Sanitary/Industrial Hygiene Engineer. He served at Forbes Field in Topeka from October 1952 through October 1955. While there, he married Freda L. Tubach, originally from Glasco, Kansas, in June 1955.

Following his discharge from the Air Force, Howard held various positions including District Engineer in the Wichita office of the Kansas Department of Health, Superintendent of Sewers and Sewage Treatment for the city of Phoenix, Chief of Engineering Services in the Wichita-Sedgewick County Department of Health, and Director of Environmental Sanitation for the Lake County Health Department in Waukegan, Illinois.

He ultimately returned to Topeka in 1968 as the Director of Air Quality Control for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. In this position, he was responsible for the development and direction of the state's first air pollution control program as required by the U.S. Clean Air Act of 1970. There, Howard won a competition to design the department seal; he was always very artistic.

In 1987, he was reassigned to the Industrial Hygiene Section of the department as a senior Environmental Engineer when his position as bureau director was eliminated under a major department reorganization. While in this position, he was also instrumental in the development of the agency's asbestos control program, required by the federal government in late 1987. He retired from this position in 1990.

Following retirement, Howard enjoyed attending his grandsons' activities, exercising regularly at the YMCA, participating in various activities at Countryside United Methodist Church, reading novels, working with computer graphics, and woodworking. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife, other family members, and friends on trips within the United States, Europe, China, Russia and Mexico. He especially enjoyed regular family trips to Vail, Colorado, in the summer.

Howard was a wonderful father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Freda; brother Don; daughters Michelle Allen (John Klusener) and Linda Bond (Matt); and grandsons Dustin and Brandon Allen and Trevor and Casey Bond.

The family deeply appreciates the service and compassion provided by Grace Hospice. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 9, at Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 SW Burlingame Rd., Topeka, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Topeka, 3625 SW 29th St. Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66614.

To share a special memory with Howard's family, please visit the guestbook below.