Dr. Allan Saxe, a retired professor from the University of Texas at Arlington and well-known philanthropist, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 85.
Dr. Saxe, a cherished resident of Arlington, was born in Oklahoma and earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in political science from the University of Oklahoma. He began his teaching career in political science at UTA in 1965, when it was still Arlington State College. Over more than five decades, he became a significant figure both on and off campus, before retiring in 2019.
Dr. Saxe’s most profound lesson transcended civics or politics; it was about living generously. His philanthropy, estimated to total millions of dollars, is evident throughout North Texas, with his name gracing roads, gardens, waterfalls, city parks, and the Allan Saxe Dental Clinic at Mission Arlington. “I’ve given away every dollar,” Saxe told NBC 5 in 2019. “It’s gone.”
He founded the Arlington Life Shelter to provide aid and employment programs for the homeless community and contributed to the renovations of the college’s baseball and softball parks. While the baseball stadium was renamed Clay Gould Ballpark in honor of a Mavericks manager who died of cancer, the softball venue has been known as Allan Saxe Field since 1993. Reflecting on this, Saxe humorously remarked, “I can’t throw a ball from here to there, but I have a softball field named after me.”
As news of his passing spread, tributes flooded social media. The University of Texas at Arlington honored him as “a Forever Maverick, whose life and legacy impacted so many at UT Arlington.” The city of Arlington also paid tribute, calling him “a beloved professor, political scientist, author, volunteer, and philanthropist.”
NBC 5 frequently interviewed Saxe and last spoke with him in 2019 when post-polio syndrome started to limit his mobility, leading to his retirement. On that day, he was observed teaching a high school class about upcoming local elections. With a playful grin, he told his class, “The mayor of Fort Worth is a former student of mine. The mayor of Grand Prairie is a former student of mine. I got ’em all. I’m a kingmaker, in my own mind at least!”
In a 2020 interview with The Dallas Morning News, Saxe revealed his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. The cause of his death has not been confirmed. He is survived by his longtime partner and wife, Ruthie Brock. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
