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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

George Neil Sausen, PhD

George N. Sausen, age 91 of Hockessin, DE died on August 1, 2019.

George was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1927 and was the son of George M. Sausen and Florence McIntyre Sausen. George was raised in St. Paul and graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a Chemistry degree. He received his PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin in 1953 and joined the Central Research Department of DuPont in Wilmington, DE.

He is the inventor/co-inventor of nine US patents. George’s technical career with DuPont was in two parts; CR&D (Explosives Departments) and as a Registered Patent Agent and manager of Corporate Information Science.

George retired from DuPont in 1992 and joined Cephalon, Inc. a small biotech company, as Director of Intellectual Property. George retired from Cephalon in 1999. George was a 50-year member of the American Chemical Society, a charter member of Chemistry and the Law, and a member of the Patent and Related Matters Committee. He was a life member of the Philadelphia Intellectual Property Law Association.

For many years, George was a member of the DuPont Country Club and its tennis, duplicate bridge and golf programs. George was an avid sailor with the Elk River Yacht Club and served as Commodore and Historian. George and his family enjoyed many camping vacations.

George married Rosemary Keller Sausen of St. Paul, Minnesota in 1951. George and Rosemary have been members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Wilmington since 1959. He served as a member of the Parish Council for nine years and its President for two years. He was a lector for twenty-five years. George was a member of the first group of twelve Special Ministers of the Eucharist, in 1973 and chaired the renovation committee of the original church in 1972-1973. He served as committee chairman of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and was awarded the Boy Scouts-St. George’s medal in 1970. He helped start the Heartbeat newsletter in 1973. He served as parish chairman of the Annual Catholic Appeal from 2003-2009. George served the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington as an advocate in the Marriage Tribunal from 1991-2004.

Rosemary and George moved to Cokesbury Village in 2004 and he served as a member of the Audio-Visual committee for ten years.

George is survived by his wife, Rosemary Keller Sausen and their children, George M. Sausen (Debby) of Laurel Springs, NJ; Mary Cay Armstrong (Steve) of Wilmington, DE; Thomas Sausen (Adele) of Kennett Square, PA, and Peg Desendorf (Ray) of West Chester, PA. His surviving grandchildren are Michael Sausen, Dana (Sausen) Kazaba, Mark, Lee and Clare Sausen, Jenna (Desendorf) Lawson, Katie (Armstrong) Manieri and Mollie Armstrong and great grandchildren, Charlie, Colby, and Sophia. George’s youngest daughter, Anne Marie, predeceased him. George’s only sister, Jean Brazelton, predeceased him and he is survived by Robert Brazelton of Downey, CA and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Outreach office.

Funeral Services

Viewing will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, August 6 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Road, Wilmington, DE 19803 with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 am. Burial immediately following Mass at All Saints Cemetery

Condolences

    Clare Sausen lit a candle and writes,
    Forever in our hearts ♥️
    08/02/2019 06:24 am
    Bill Graney writes,
    I thank George and Rosemary for the years of warmth and talents that they contributed to the IHM community and to the Diocese of Wilmington. This area has been enriched by several if not many fine and accomplished people from Minnesota and Wisconsin area. I recall that George's face lighted up as I was visiting in Cokesbury: a testimony to the good memories we had of each other. He will continue to be an example of selfless love and care that can be given by Catholic gentlemen. May he put in a good word for us as he gathers with others in the eternal presence of God. RIP
    08/03/2019 10:11 am
    John and Armstrong writes,
    Will always remember the Sausen family especially Peggy with the Dilwynn Badminton Club and doubles partner with Patti Armstrong. Much sadness with the loss of George and our prayers are with the Sausen family . Many Memories always , John and Ann Armstrong
    08/05/2019 04:01 pm
    Rev.Joe Monardo lit a candle and writes,
    George and Family so sorry for the passing of your Father . I'll keep you in my Prayers .FOR Bless you and your Family. 🙏
    08/05/2019 07:04 pm
    Lynn Mahaffy writes,
    I am so sad to hear of George's passing. My very best wishes to Rosemary and the rest of the family. You were always such a wonderful addition to yacht club events and we miss you there. I also had the very great pleasure of having Michael in class in college. He still stands out as one of my favorite students and is such a credit to his grandparents' influence. George was a terrific man who always made me smile. Even though he had not been to yacht club events recently, his passing will leave a hole. Please accept my sincerest condolences.
    08/06/2019 04:51 pm
    Tom Ford writes,
    Dear Rosemary and Family, I am so sorry to learn that George has passed on. He always provided a high point for me whenever I visited Cokesbury, as I often did when the Rhythm Doctors played there. He would be the first to come up to the stand to visit with me. I enjoyed many years working with George at the duPont Experimental Station. I don't get out much anymore as I'll be 102 if I make it to August 29th Please know that I regarded George as a good friend and a great scientist. Tom Ford.
    08/08/2019 11:10 pm
    Anne Tenango writes,
    I’m still in shock at the news of your passing. May the Angels in Heaven welcome you as you’re embraced by your parents and my beautiful Mom, your sister. I am thankful for the memories of you and Rosemary at my wedding sharing in this special day. I also remember the time you came down for my parents 50th wedding anniversary in La Jolla. Thanks for being a wonderful Uncle. I love you very much! RIP my dear Uncle.
    08/09/2019 08:07 pm

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