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Ken Augustine Obituary
Ken, 66, of San Rafael, CA died Thursday, September 19, 2013. Mr. Augustine was born in Nyack, NY and grew up in Bergenfield, NJ. A self-employed motorcycle engineer and machinist specializing in maximizing horsepower through cylinder head design, he was renowned in the motorcycle racing industry for tuning and building winning engines. An inventive machinist and expert in the laws of motion, he also engaged in a diverse range of projects including development of medical devices; garage door section modulus additions; and pinewood derby car weight inserts and axle setup methods.
Survivors include his father Gerard Augustine of Vero Beach, Fl, and sister Marilyn Augustine and brother-in-law Thomas Bush of Asheville, NC. His life will be celebrated by family, friends and colleagues in the coming weeks in the San Rafael area.
Monte's Chapel of the Hills, San Anselmo (415) 453-8440
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ken Augustine
Ray Watson
October 2, 2025
Kenny helped me with my coast to coast race bike. He was eccentric and brilliant.
Al DeLucia
January 6, 2025
We flew model airplanes together. From very young he had an instinct of how things worked. He taught me a lot. He sat next to me in Miss Ring´s
French class, saying "Mangez moi" when he got annoyed. A real genuine character.
Denise DeLaura Ellsworth
August 18, 2022
After all these years I just heard of this today and it took my breath away. Kenny and I had quite a few classes together at BHS. No one was kinder or funnier or more wonderful than Kenny. It was a privilege to know you and laugh with you Kenny. Rest easy sweet man.
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March 7, 2014
the best of the best..joseph farstta
frank borruso
November 2, 2013
To my friend, Kenny Augustine, thank you for sharing a lifetime of insite to R/C airplanes and boats, for sharing your shop and sharing late nights of tech talk, teaching me welding, teaching me mill work, helping me build a championship drag car and so much more, I will miss running around for you , stuffing a handful of bills at me with a bunch of cash and you saying "take care of this for me while I work on your stuff", waiting till 3am to weld outside when the wind calmed down, and so much more, your name is still on my race cars, with a big thanks to, and racers always ask me "who is kinetic analysis?" I will miss you and feel sad We haven't visited in a year or so, god speed Kenny,
your life friend, frank
Hubert Biagi
November 1, 2013
I worked with Kenny, tuning motorcycles, back in the mid to late '70s. He taught me an awful lot, and I considered him a friend. My life went in a different direction, but I had the pleasure to speak to Kenny in 2009, and loved every minute of our conversation. He was truly a unique and talented individual, and I am deeply saddened to find we have lost him.
Leonard Cohen
October 21, 2013
I knew Ken and his family since high school. Ken was the only friend that has kept in touch all these years. We spoke on the phone two days prior to his passing. I only learned of it three days ago. I am devastated by this loss and will keep him in my prayers. If I could take his place I would.
Barry Oliver
October 19, 2013
I'm shocked & saddened to hear of Ken's passing. My condolences to his family & friends. I'll miss our email discussions about world affairs & our beloved motorcycles.
Suellen Conklin
October 12, 2013
My deepest sympathies to Kenny's family and friends. Ken was in my life from his late teens. In NJ he was known to crash on the living room floor or the basement bedroom but that stopped once he brought a motor of one kind or another into the living room. Kenny was one of a kind. He had a way of getting under your skin in an annoyingly familial way. I relied on Ken for answers to questions from why steam was a great conductor of heat to the most detailed political point. He was rarely rendered speechless and was kind to me to a fault. I will miss knowing that he was just within calling distance, east coast or west. Even though i didn't see him much in the last few years i could always call and get a decent dose of Augustine wisdom and a good amount of humor, his very own brand. He was equal parts family and friend. Cresskill, New Jersey to Berkeley, California to Washingtonville, New York, I will miss him...
Carol Brandes Holmes
October 11, 2013
Gerry, I know what a shock this has been to you and Marilyn.
I hope the memories of good times spent together give you comfort now. Dwight and I will remember you in thought and prayer.
JoAnne Pereira (McDonough)
October 11, 2013
My husband and I grew up in Bergenfield and went to school together. Hearing of his loss sadens me so much . He was so young to go this early. he will be missed
Robert Karfiol
October 9, 2013
I am very sorry to hear about the passing of Ken! My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Ray Watson
October 7, 2013
Kenny helped me with a motorcycle I used for a cross country race. He was very generous and helped me have confidence to tear into parts of the motor that I would have normally left to the professionals. I realized that he was a master machinist and quite possibly a genius engineer.
I will miss him.
Wayne Ernst
October 6, 2013
Mr. Augustine and Marilyn, I am saddened to hear of Ken's passing. Ken and I were childhood friends in Bergenfield. Spent many hours flying model airplanes, chasing free-flight airplanes into Tenafly. In later years we worked on many cars together.
We kept in email contact and I will miss him.
My heartfelt condolences to you all.
Wayne Ernst
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