Richard E. Auwarter, Sr.

Richard E. Auwarter, Sr., 79, went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, April 23, 2011, from his son's home in the Town of Lapeer.

Dick was born in Norwich, NY on August 8, 1931 a son of the late William and Myrla Carrier Auwarter. A lifelong resident of this area and a 1950 graduate of Cincinnatus Central School, he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Cincinnatus where he had been active as a deacon, trustee, Sunday School Teacher, and Christian Academy School Board Member. He was also a former board member of the Cortland Bible Club Camp located in Pitcher, NY. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served as a combat medic in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1954 where he received a bronze star. He was also a member of the Knickerbocker American Legion Post #596, Cincinnatus. He began his employment as a bus driver for the Cincinnatus Central School before going to work for Brockway Motors, Cortland. After Brockway closed, he returned to work at the Cincinnatus Central School where he retired as the groundskeeper after several years of service. He also coached Little League Baseball for several years in Cincinnatus. Dick was a loving father, grandfather, and friend to many and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him.

He is survived by his children, Ric (Deb) Auwarter, Jr., of Lapeer, Clay (Sherry) Auwarter of Duluth, GA, Myrla Stith of Cincinnatus, Scott (Sue) Auwarter of Liverpool, and Amanda Auwarter of Endicott. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Chris, Kim, Kyle, Kayla, Nick, Sander, Randi, Cameron, Eva, and Emma Auwarter, and Beatrice Stith; three great-grandchildren; his twin brother, Rodney (Janice) Auwarter of Grottoes, VA, and a brother, William (Margaret) Auwarter of Mansfield, PA; sisters, Nancy (John) Dugan and Altha Bostley, all of Wellsboro, PA; an aunt, Ruth Clough, of Cortland; an uncle, Jack Clough of Florida; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his wife, Eva Mae Batman Auwarter, on August 29, 1988, and a son-in-law, Ted Stith, Jr.

Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Cincinnatus on Saturday, April 30, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. with his pastor, Reverend David Perrott officiating. Burial, with military honors, will be in Taylor Rural Cemetery. The family will be present to receive friends at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., prior to the service. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Dick may be made to Faith Heritage School Legacy Fund, 3740 Midland Ave., Syracuse, NY 13205 or a charity of one's choice.