Fred R. Sawyer owned and managed G. A. Sawyer & Co., a Boston haberdashery established 1857 by his grandfather George A. Sawyer. After serving in World War II for 3 and half years in the Pacific, Mr. Sawyer returned to run the family business that was originally located on the corner of Tremont and Winter Streets, and later moved to Boylston Street. Known for their fine selection of men’s clothing, G. A. Sawyer & Co. was the haberdashery of choice for numerous Bostonians over the years. After closing the retail operation in 1974, Mr. Sawyer developed a career in high adventure travel and was an international travel agent associated with HMI, Inc. of Norwood. Mr. Sawyer died in Needham Friday August 13th. An avid canoeist and hiker, Mr. Sawyer was a Life Member and served on the Board of Directors of the Appalachian Mountain Club. In addition, he was an AMC Major Excursions committee member and Chairman of the Inter-Chapter White Water Committee. Mr. Sawyer participated in the creation of the 1965 AMC New England Canoeing Guide, an outgrowth of the 1935 book Quick-Water and Smooth by Phillips and Cabot. In the 1958 U. S. National White Water Slalom Championships, Mr. Sawyer placed 2nd in the mixed doubles competition with his wife Mary Jane. The following May Issue of Sports Illustrated featured a photo article of this event, capturing the Sawyer’s maneuvering through the turbulent rapids of Vermont’s West River. Mr. Sawyer led over 100 major excursions to various countries including Russia, New Zealand, South Africa, Austria, the British Isles, Finland, Lapland, China, Japan, Peru, Ecuador, Australia, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Kashmir, Kazakhstan, and Ladakh. By special invitation of the International Sports Federation of the Soviet Union in 1977, Mr. Sawyer led the first American hiking group on a successful ascent of Mt. Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe at 18,500 feet. During his trip to Darjeeling, he had the pleasure of sharing tea with Tenzing Norgay, Sir Edmund Hillary’s Sherpa, and recounting the story of their assent of Everest. He was a 1941 Harvard graduate and named a fellow of the Harvard Travellers Club. Mr. Sawyer leaves his wife and hiking companion of 56 years, Mary Jane of Needham, his son Russell and daughter-in-law Cata of Charlottesville VA, and daughter Pamela Madigan and son-in-law Stephen of Medfield MA. In addition, he is survived by grandchildren Victoria Madigan of Medfield MA, and George and Martha Sawyer of Charlottesville, VA. A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church 1132 Highland Avenue Needham on Sunday, September 12th 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Christ Episcopal Church, 1132 Highland Avenue Needham, MA 02492 or AMC Cardigan Lodge, 5 Joy Street Boston, MA 02108.