John Curtis Austin

On Saturday, May 16, John Curtis Austin explored the woods and fields of Ivy Creek on a Native Plant Walk. He came home in good spirits, laid down to rest---and suffered a cardiac arrest. John was cared for with enormous skill and compassion by the staff of the University of Virginia Coronary Care Unit where he passed away on May 21, with his brothers Mark and Bruce by his side. John was 52 years old. His unexpected death is a loss felt by many people. John was born on January 2nd, 1963 in Stamford CT to Irving “Jack” and Lois “Dede” Austin. As a toddler, John’s inquisitive mind led him to climb out of the crib in the middle of the night to try to fix the toilet and to drag a floor lamp across the floor to try another outlet. Due to the interventions of his parents, he survived these adventures. When John was 9, his family moved to Watkins Glen, NY. There his adventurous spirit during a Cub Scout outing led him to go missing in the woods, triggering a successful several-hour search by the local police and fire departments. John always asserted that he was never actually lost. He went on to earn his Eagle Scout award. John attended the University of Rochester, receiving a BSEE degree in Computer Engineering in 1985. He worked at Xerox Corporation as a Software Project Engineer from 1985 to 2003, receiving nine patents on two market-defining printer families. While working at Xerox, John devoted his free time to the service of others, serving 5 years on the board of directors of the Rochester-based Flower City Habitat for Humanity, including one year as president, and volunteering in a number of other community based initiatives. In 2003, John chose to deepen his commitment to service by leaving Rochester for Philadelphia. There he attended Eastern University, in 2006 receiving an MBA in Urban Economic Development, with a goal of improving economic opportunity for inner city families and individuals. While in Philadelphia, John assisted the non-profit organization Buildabridge International in pursuing its mission of serving at-risk children. In 2012 John moved to Charlottesville, VA to assist his mother in her recovery from surgery. He stayed on and volunteered extensively for a number of non-profits in Charlottesville. He used his business knowledge to assist entrepreneurs through the Community Investment Collaborative; mentored teenagers through Computers4Kids; and assisted in the 4H Junior Naturalists Program. John had a life-long interest in the plant kingdom and at the time of his death had just completed his Master Gardener training. He was active with the local Native Plant Society and with the Ivy Creek Foundation, helping out willingly with both organizations. John was interested in everything and widely knowledgeable. He was always willing to help, generous and equal to all. John left behind a loving family: his mother, Lois “Dede” Austin of Charlottesville; brother Mark Austin and his wife Maria McKenna, of New Rochelle, NY; and brother Bruce Gatling-Austin and his wife Helen of Charlottesville. A Celebration of John’s Life will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 2:30 pm at the Education Building of the Ivy Creek Natural Area in Charlottesville. Memorial donations may be made in John’s name to Computers4Kids, http://www.computers4kids.net/donate or The Ivy Creek Foundation http://ivycreekfoundation.org/membership/donate.html