Columbus, OH — Dr. Alexander Donath Savran, 86, died May 11, 2024, after a long illness.

He was born in Medford, Mass., on April 6, 1938, to Charles and Marion. He attended Brown and Nichols Prep School (Cambridge, Mass.), Tufts University (BS and later Oral and Maxilla Facial Surgery), and McGill University (DDS). He completed his internship and residency at Boston City Hospital. He had an oral surgery practice in Medford and later taught at Tufts University.

Dr. Savran was president of the Massachusetts Society of Dental Anesthesiology (1974), board member of the Massachusetts Medford Red Cross, and a member of both Kiwanis (Mass.) and the Lions Club (N.J.). He was proud to serve as a “Big Brother.”

He was a real sports enthusiast whether as a player or a fan. He was considered one of the best hockey goalies in his pre-collegiate years. He was the number one ranked tennis player at Tufts for four years.

In 1971 he married his beloved Sharon (Wolf) and they enjoyed 53 adventurous years together. In 1987 they left Massachusetts and purchased a Standardbred training and racing facility.

Dr. Savran (dubbed a Living Legend by his friends and peers) enjoyed sitting behind his own horses as an amateur driver. He had the claimer of the year in 1990. He was lucky and talented enough to turn his avocation into his vocation. To know him was to love him.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon; sister and brother-in-law, Carol (Paul) Amaru; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Bonnie Rudner and Bill Rudner: as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Mark.

In keeping with Alex and Sherri’s relaxed style, a gathering to share stories and memories of Alex will be held on Sunday (May 19) from 2-4 p.m. at the Peppler Funeral Home, 114 S. Main St., Allentown, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation, 42 Arneytown-Hornerstown Rd, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514 (www.adoptahorse.org), Popcorn Park Zoo, 1 Humane Way, Forked River, NJ 08731 (www.ahscares.org), Grace Healthcare Services, 105 Fieldcrest Ave., Suite 402, Edison, NJ 08837 (www.gracehcs.com/donation-program), or to a charity that is dear to your heart.