John Adam Sawin (1852-1925)

SAWIN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:11

From The Iowa Engineer: A Bi-monthly Publication, Volumes 23, dated October 1922, page 18

MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT MISSES OLD FOUNDRYMAN

John Sawin was recently granted a quarter's leave of absence for the purpose of securing a long-needed vacation. The well-known foundryman has been melting iron at the little cupola for the last eighteen years, and is possibly as well known to most of the graduates of the college as Dan Marston.

Ill-health has dealt a severe blow to the veteran casting maker, and the vacation is granted him so he may recuperate.

Sawin learned the foundry business in Dubuque, Ia., were he was employed in the early eighties at the Adams Foundry Co., later working in Marshalltown. He came to Iowa State College in 1902 and has been in charge of the foundry instruction here since that time.

When he was working in Marshalltown, John cast the steps for Old Main, the building which formerly stood on the site of the Central Building.

From The Iowa Engineer: A Bi-monthly Publication, Volumes 24-25, dated April 1925, page 22

UNCLE JOHN SAWIN BREATHES HIS LAST

Suspend M. E. Classes to Honor Foundry Instructor

The news of the death of John Sawin, formerly an instructor in the foundry of the mechanical engineering department brings a distinct shock to the many students and members of the faculty who knew him.

"John," as he was familiarly called by his students, was a foundryman of the old school, having worked almost continuously at his trade since he was 14 years of age. While he did not have advantages of even a high school or secondary education, Mr. Sawin was a reader of the technical papers in his field. He was a keen observer and was always extremely loyal and faithful to the college interests. All members of the engineering faculty spoke well of him.

His unusual love and interest in young men caused the engineering graduates of five or ten years back, who returned to the campus, to always make a special effort to chat again with "Uncle John." Probably no instructor had a more wholesome normal influence on students that he. He made the foundry work usually considered by some as drudgery, work of interest.

Coming to the college as a member of the faculty in the fall of 1907, Mr. Sawin served continuously for 15 years, finally leaving his work due to ill health. "John" would have been 73 years on July 4 and previous to the last two years had enjoyed splendid health. His physical strength and quickness at his extreme age was a source of admiration to those students who worked with him.

Always active in engineering activities, Mr. Sawin was a regular attendant of the Engineer's Campfire and a willing helper on the staff of Engineering Open House. While he was on the teaching staff, Sunday morning would find him at the college chapel. During the past two years, his loss of contact with the students caused him to discontinue this custom.

Mr. Sawin, after working in his garden on Monday morning March 30, laid down to rest about 10 o'clock and passed quietly away at 10:30. All work in the mechanical engineering department of the college was suspended from 10 to 12 a. m. on April 1, to make it possible for the many friends to attend the funeral.