Gregg Sautter

Gregg Eugene Sautter passed away peacefully at the age of 70 in Missoula, MT. He was born on September 29, 1954, to Jack and Doreen Sautter in Townsend, Montana. Gregg was active in Boy Scouts, earning the Eagle Badge and contributing to many community projects. His first passion was baseball, starting in Little League with his dad, Jack, as his coach, and later continuing to Legion ball with the Helena Senators. His childhood was spent outdoors, hunting, fishing, and camping were some of his favorites. In the winter, you could find Gregg snow skiing and helping maintain the ski hill on Grassy Mountain.

In the fall of 1973, he attended the University of Montana, graduating with a degree in Business Finance in 1978, using that extra year to minor in house parties (at his Brooks Street house) and baseball. Throughout college, Gregg helped run the UM club baseball team and picked up his lifelong love of whitewater rafting. A true river junky, rafting took him across multiple states, down the Grand Canyon (twice), and ultimately led him to his wife, Karen. On their second date, he took her down the Lochsa River and later proposed on “The River of No Return”. But if you asked anyone, they would, without a doubt, tell you that Greggs' favorite hobby was waterskiing. He learned at Canyon Ferry Lake and quickly discovered that the Clearwater River at Seeley Lake was his paradise. So much so, he bought a cabin on the river, and the rest was history. Gregg was one of the few who found joy in barefoot waterskiing. If you were lucky, you saw him barefoot in a tuxedo on his birthday.

As much as Gregg loved to play hard, he also wore his heart on his sleeve, giving back to the community that raised him. He never hesitated to help out a buddy who gave him a call or change a spare tire for a stranger. Gregg joined the Montana Officials Association at 23 years old, officiating football and basketball for years. He was recently awarded the “Lifetime Officials Achievement Award” for his 47 years of dedication as a high school football official.

Gregg and Karen were blessed with 2 daughters, Jade and Kyla. Gregg never stopped loving and teaching the girls, giving them endless opportunities to explore and enjoy life. He passed down his adventurous spirit and love of the outdoors, always prioritizing the little joys in life. He is survived by his wife Karen, daughters Jade and Kyla, siblings Susan Ritter (Gary), Jackie Ruple, John Sautter, and numerous nieces and nephews. Gregg lived life to the absolute fullest and didn’t do anything half-assed. “Powder River, let'er buck.”

Services and the celebration of life will be held in Missoula on Saturday, October 4th, 2025. More details to come.