August was born on February 6, 1923 near Westminster, California to his parents August John Hauptman and Katherine Marguerite Nielsen. August grew up on a 20-acre dairy farm, which evolved over time to a poultry business with 5,000 egg-laying hens. August and his 8 siblings helped with the farm throughout his childhood, which was a foundation for his dedicated work ethic. Interestingly, this family farm was located on the site of what is today the Westminster Mall in Orange County, California.
The Hauptman family were devout Lutherans and August was raised in the faith. In fact, August had memorized Luther’s Small Catechism cover-to-cover ahead of his confirmation into the church at age 13! August attended Huntington Beach High School where, at 6’3”, he was an easy fit on the varsity basketball team. August also made a brief foray into the performing arts, taking part in the school’s drama program. After graduating high school in 1942, August attended college at Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Illinois to train for a lifetime of service to his faith.
After college, August served as a vicar in the deaf ministry, often traveling from church to church in rural central northwest to minister to the hearing impaired -- this was often the only way they could participate in live worship services. At Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Falls, Montana, he met and commenced a courtship with Ferol Lee Brawner. They were married on June 29, 1947. This union was blessed with nine children: five girls and four boys.
August was ordained into the Lutheran church and installed as the pastor of Trinity Lutheran on June 27, 1948. He continued to serve as pastor to Trinity until he accepted a call at Faith Lutheran in Spokane, Washington in 1950. The family remained in Washington until August accepted a call at Prince of Peace in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Several of his children came of age during this time, married and started families of their own in Minneapolis.
During the latter part of 1970 through 1971, August took a sabbatical leave from the ministry and he and his family moved to Santa Rosa, California where he helped his brother manage a new poultry ranch. In December, 1971, he took a call to Good Shepherd of the Deaf Lutheran Church in Toledo, Ohio.
Finally, in 1978, August accepted a call at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Los Angeles, California. He and his family settled into a home in San Gabriel, California. He spent 10 years in ministry at Pilgrim.
August retired in 1988 after 40 years of Lutheran ministry, but he continued to serve as a vacancy pastor at times for various churches in Southern California, and also filled the pulpit for vacationing pastors until he was in his late 80s!
August had a quiet, introspective personality, but was known to interject with a witty quip when the time was right. He was hard-working, level-headed and journaled daily, even through the final years of his life. August enjoyed reading, gardening, fishing, completing puzzles, working on his model train set and most of all, serving God. August was called home on January 9, 2020.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Ferol and daughters Katherine O’Meara and Ida Baker. He is survived by seven children: Sarah Fanucchi of Covina, California; George (Harumi) Hauptman of Sacramento, California; Martin (Francine) Hauptman of Northridge, California; Jane Rodriguez of Monrovia, California; Fred (Sujin) Hauptman of Pasadena, California; Ted (Sylvia) Hauptman of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Liz (Greg) Bunnell of McKinney, Texas; 13 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren (with one on the way).
His body will be laid to rest next to Ferol at Westminster Memorial Park to await the glorious coming of our Lord and Savior, who will raise the dead and give eternal life to all believers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to either the Rev. August Hauptman Memorial Fund - c/o St. John Lutheran Church, 304 E. Covina Blvd., Covina, CA 91722-2826 or to Deaf Ministries - c/o Pacific Southwest District, 1540 Concordia Dr. East, Irvine, CA 92612
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