Walter Horst Augustin

Walter Horst Augustin, age 53, of Altamonte Springs, passed away suddenly on Monday, April 16, at his home. Wally was born June 9, 1958, in Chicago, Illinois, to Sophia (Hedrich) and Horst Walter Augustin. His siblings include Hilda and Joe. His childhood summers were spent at Wrigley Field, and his education at Lane Technical High School lead him to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology. A first generation college graduate, he embraced lifelong learning including three Master’s Degrees, from the Naval Postgraduate School, the Marine Corps War College, and the National Defense University, plus a graduate certificate from San Diego State University. He attended and taught courses at the University of Central Florida. Walt’s undergraduate years at IIT provided lifetime friends in the brotherhood of Pi Kappa Phi, and a wife: Maria Elena (Melvin) Augustin. Married in Chicago, IL, on October 27, 1980, he was a devoted husband. They spent joint Marine Corps careers together, but their crowning achievements were their beautiful, intelligent, children: Caitlin Marina and Aidan Liam. Walt passed on his love of running and passion for math and science to his children who are both engineers and lifetime athletes. He inspired his daughter, Caitlin, to run her first full marathon last year. Walt loved “kickin’ things up a couple of notches” and going toe-to-toe with his son, Aidan, at the Tijuana Flats hot sauce bar. As a Marine Corps officer, Walt visited 26 countries and served as an aviation supply officer and acquisition professional. He retired in August 2007 at the rank of Colonel. A lifelong public servant, he served in the Senior Executive Service as the Technical Director of Naval Air Warfare Systems Command, Training Systems Department from 2007-2012. He is survived by his spouse Maria Elena Augustin of Altamonte Springs, FL, daughter Caitlin Marina Augustin of Miami, FL, son Aidan Liam Augustin of Gainesville, FL, mother Sophia Jankovics and stepfather Simon Jankovics of Schaumburg, IL, sister Hilda Carey of Schaumburg, IL and brother Joseph Orawzcyk of Yermo, CA. Many in-laws, nephews, and nieces loved and will miss Walt. A faithful parishioner of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Walt will be celebrated at a Funeral Mass there on Saturday, April 21, 11:00 a.m. The church is located at 4001 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, FL. A reception will follow immediately in Bishop Grady Hall. The visitation will be on Friday, April 20, 6-8 p.m. at DeGusipe Funeral Home at 9001 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland, FL. For more information call (407)695-2273. Walter Horst Augustin will be interned at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Walter Augustin can be made to the UCF First Generation Scholarship in the College of Health and Public Affairs. Donations can be sent in care of the UCF Foundation, Inc., 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 250, Orlando, FL 32826 or by calling 407-882-1220.Please request that they add the account number to their checks or include a note with this info: MCAA000190 First Generation Scholarship – College of Health and Public Affairs. This will ensure it gets to the proper fund. Donations can also be made online via credit card (AMEX, Visa, MC) at: https://giving.ucffoundation.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=551 They will need to select the First Gen – Co. of Health and Public Affairs fund from the drop-down menu on that page. Walter Horst Augustin, you were an officer and a gentleman. May you rest in peace. Arrangements have been entrusted to DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory; 9001 N. Orlando Ave. Maitland, Florida 32751 (407) 695-CARE (2773)

Walter Horst Augustin

June 9, 1958 - April 16, 2012