Dr. Gunter Joseph Augustin

Radiologist, teacher, woodworker, stone mason, gardener, equestrian, philanthropist, bibliophile, world traveler, caregiver, antiquarian, cuisinier, linguist, goose hunter, immigrant, animal lover, husband and father died on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at home — dreaming peacefully, with a smile on his face ¬— in his own bed, his faithful dog, Greg, by his side.

Free from his earthly ties, he joins his devoted wife Dr. Gudrun Augustin-Ruckert, his parents, Dr. Joseph and Marta Augustin, his sister, Dr. Mechthild Dehn, and the many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, colleagues and animals who crossed the bridge before him.

Born July 1, 1927 in Uchtelfangen/ Saar, Germany, Papa was drafted into the Wehrmacht in January of 1945. “Join the cavalry and make sure the Americans capture you,” his father advised. Gunther did as he was told, and from May 11, 1945 to mid-August, 1945 Gunther was a prisoner of war.

“Right war, wrong side,” he always said.

After completing his Abitur in Neunkirchen, Germany, in 1946, he began his medical studies at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz (1946-49). At the University of Heidelberg (1949-52) he not only handed in the best state medical exam in the school’s history, but spent two days a week rebuilding the bombed-out facilities. An internship in internal medicine and pathology followed (1952-53).

At Hackensack Hospital in Hackensack, N.J. (1953 - 55), medical residency kept him busy, but not too busy to fall in love with his future wife, Dr. Gudrun Marie Rueckert. From 1955-56 he completed an internship in surgery at Knappschafts Hospital in Fischbach/Saar, Germany. 1956-57 was particularly eventful, with his marriage and a position in internal medicine at the 7100th USAF Hospital in Wiesbaden.

1957 marked his emigration to the USA and a residency in internal medicine at Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, VA. From 1958-61 he completed his residency in radiology at The Washington Hospital Center and was certified by the American Board of Radiology in 1962.

A demanding career followed: partner and then president of Drs. Groover, Christie and Merritt; Chairman of the radiology department at The Washington Hospital Center; Fellow of the American Board of Radiology; Lecturer in Radiology at the Armed Forces Institute; Consultant for the U.S. Naval Hospital (Bethesda); Clinical Professor or Radiology at George Washington University; Member of the Board of Trustees of the Washington Hospital.

One of Gunther’s favorite quotes had to do with punctuality: “Fünf Minuten vor der Zeit, ist des Soldaten Pünktlichkeit.” (Five minutes before the time, is a soldier’s punctuality.)

For those whose lives he inspired, Papa left too early, but for him it was perfect timing.

On Sunday, February 18, 2018, Greg age 7 1/2, joined Gunther, after a brief illness.

Left to carry Papa and Greg's sparkling light and endless love (and fur!) forward are his son and Greg’s other dad, Thomas Augustin of Washington, D.C.; his daughter and son-in-law, Babette Augustin and Ray Fernandes of Fayetteville, N.C.; his brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Rudi and Ruth Augustin of Schmelz, Germany; his sister, Marie-Therese Bader of Garmisch, Germany; his trusted confidante, Lita Bueno Byrd, of Washington, D.C., who kept it all running smoothly after Mama died in 1997; his “other daughter” Janine Gray Ashbey and her husband, Allen Ashbey, and a whole host of nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

The family will be greeting friends and relatives for a Celebration of Life at Joseph Gawler’s Sons at 5130 Wisconsin Ave N.W., Washington D.C. on Friday, March 2 between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to your favorite animal charity.