George Aulbach

1925 - 2016

George L. Aulbach
ROSWELL, GA
George Louis Aulbach passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on Wednesday, April 27, 2016.
He was born on July 9, 1925, in York, to George Andrew and Mary Goulden Aulbach.
He graduated from Villanova University with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering in October 1945. He was immediately commissioned as an Ensign in the USNR and served at Pearl Harbor and Johnston Island. He was honorably discharged in November 1946.
When he returned to the States, he joined RS Noonan, Inc., in York, where he was President and CEO. He joined McCrory-Sumwalt in Columbia, S.C., as a partner in 1972. In 1976, he became the President and CEO of Laing Properties in Atlanta, Ga. He retired in 1990 and continued to work as a consultant in the real estate development and construction.
In addition to family and work, George gave his time and talents to organizations and boards to include Vice Chairman, Catholic Continuing Care Committee; Chairman Finance Committee, Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta; Trustee, Southern Technical Foundation, Developing Affordable Housing; Board of Directors, Lake Toxaway Community Association; Board of Directors, Northside Hospital Foundation; Catholic Housing Initiatives Board of Directors; Director, York, Pennsylvania, Memorial Osteopathic Hospital; Treasurer, Advisory Board, Georgia Tech Research Institute; Director, Catholic Continuing Care Retirement Committee; Vice Chairman, Bank South Atlanta, and Mentor, The Paces Foundation, Support for Affordable Housing.
As one friend commented, "George accomplished more after the age of 75 than most people accomplish in a lifetime."
While his business career was extraordinary, his retirement allowed him to pursue his true passion -- working to improve the lives of those less fortunate. He established and funded a program to provide tuition assistance for needy students to attend parochial schools in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. He also funded a scholarship for York Catholic High School students attending Villanova in Engineering, Technical or Business majors. For 25 years, he served the Archdiocese of Atlanta in various positions, including the Archdiocesan Finance Council. He put his real estate expertise to good use as well. He headed up a Catholic Schools Implementation Committee and assisted Catholic Charities Atlanta housing initiatives for the elderly. In that capacity, he helped build five new schools and housing for the elderly and low-income families. He earned the highest civilian Papal honor, and was named Knight Commander of St. Gregory.
Those who knew him through business, his charitable work, his friends and family would all agree on two things. The first was he always knew how to do things right and he insisted on a high standard, not just from himself, but from all around him, no matter the relationship. He shared that vision in a way that lifted up the people around him in a very positive way. The second was his tremendous sense of humor and optimistic outlook. He had a particular twinkle in his eye when joking and a wonderful laugh. He always looked at life as a full glass.
He was married to the former Gertrude Marie "Duts" Frisby of York until her death in 2004. They had five daughters. He then married the former Florence Hipschman of Denver, Colo., in 2005. They resided at St. George Village in Roswell. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Louise Blahusch, and his stepson, Charles Hipschman of Boulder, Colo. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Jeanne Aulbach of Peachtree Corners, Ga., Cindy Aulbach (Bob Swisher) of Lexington, S.C., Patricia (Joe) Burns of Grayson, Ga., Kate (Dane) Anderson of North Augusta, S.C., and Barbara (Ron) Bradley of Johns Creek, Ga.; stepson, Tom (Diane) Hipschman of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren, Daniel George Smith, Lauren Webb, Mandi Gunter, Joe Pat Burns, Ashleigh Wiedemann, Lindsay Anderson, Dane Anderson, Jr., and Brooke Bradley; step grandchildren, Alex Hipschman, Geoff Hipschman, and Will Hipschman; great-granddaughter, Everleigh Gunter; step great-grandson, Matthew Hipschman; and his sister's children, Missy Jaffe and John Aulbach.
There will be a visitation for family and friends at Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA 30076 on Sunday, May 1, from 5 to 7 p.m.(published on funeral home website). Archbishop Wilton Gregory will say a funeral Mass on Monday, May 2, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, 11330 Woodstock Road, Roswell, A 30075.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Relief Services (www.crs.org) 877-435-7277, 228 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD 21201-3443.