Walter Saul, a prominent Rotarian who guided many young Bermudians into studies abroad, is to be remembered in a celebration of life service on Saturday.

The head of operations at Bermuda Pest Control, Mr Saul died last month just before his 60th birthday.

His widow, Sidnea “Cindy” Saul, described him as “a wonderful man that loved unconditionally, very charismatic, with a lot of wit and good humour”.

Those traits were evident when they first met, as Mr Saul recounted in a typically light hearted 1997 interview for the Mid-Ocean News.

“I was at a pest control seminar in Florida — I was actually at a bikini contest,” Mr Saul recalled.

“She wasn’t in it, of course. I saw her and I sent a waitress over with a message: will you marry me? She sent a message back saying: yes, if it is tomorrow. I still don’t know if she was kidding.”

The couple tied the knot two days later, in 1989, and were together ever since.

Born in the United States, Mr Saul settled on the pest control business at age 21, after catching two mice in one trap at a grocery store job, and deciding he had a knack.

Trained at Pensacola Pest Control College in Florida, Mr Saul became the island’s informal expert on cockroaches, ants, spiders and other pests.

But he also held a genuine fascination for insect life, keeping bug replicas in his office.

At Sandys Rotary Club, Mr Saul became the inbound and outbound student exchange coordinator, shepherding local students abroad — and finding hosts for incoming youngsters.

“I like seeing the Bermuda students get excited about the exchange, then come back after a year with their horizons broadened,” he said of the role.

“They all have a great time, too. I get enjoyment out of their enjoyment.”

Mrs Saul said she had never seen her husband lose his temper, remembering him as “kind, caring, and very sensitive to other peoples’ needs”, and enjoying jokes with their son, Abraham. Family and friends will hold a special service for Mr Saul at 3pm on Saturday in the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium at CedarBridge Academy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pals in his memory.