August G. Kauffmann

Summit - August G. Kauffmann, 76, found the eternal love and peace of Heaven on December 23, 2018.

 He was born on May 14, 1942 in New York City. He grew up in Astoria, Queens, idolizing Marshal Matt Dillon of "Gunsmoke" and eventually became a Deputy U.S. Marshal himself, spending 30 years in law enforcement. 

At 6'8", he was a standout basketball player. He was captain of the basketball team at Concordia Junior College and attended Iona College on a full basketball scholarship where he earned his B.A. He later earned two master's degrees at St. John's University (history, political science) and served as an adjunct professor at St. John's. 

During retirement, he became a nationally-ranked shot putter and a regular at Senior Olympic track & field meets throughout the northeast, winning countless age group medals into his 70's. A city boy who loved the country, he and his wife bought a cabin in Schoharie County in 1969, where he and his family spent many happy summers. He eventually retired to a home in Summit 10 years ago. 

Augie loved to travel, going on frequent trips across the U.S. and Europe. He kept in close contact with his relatives in Sweden and Germany and recently toured Viking historical sites in the U.K. with his son and grandson. 

He was a devoted father who loved coaching his sons' basketball teams and religiously attended their baseball games from little league through college. He adored his grandchildren and enjoyed imparting his love of history to them from an early age.

He was preceded in death by his parents, August and Ingeborg, and his son, Erik. 

Augie’s family includes his beloved wife of 53 years: Kathleen, a retired early childhood teacher and his two sons: Jon, a teacher at Guilderland High School, and Peter, the founder of Bluejacket Strategies, a public affairs firm.  And the light of his eyes, his five grandchildren: Michael, Isabel, Sophie, Emma and Kathryn. 

Augie was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Middleburgh where a memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 12 at 11:00 am.

Coltrain Funeral Home, LLC of 134 River Street, Middleburgh is honored to be caring for Augie and his family.

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