John Augenstein

PITTSFIELD -- John William Augenstein, 42, of 8511 13th Ave. NW, Seattle, a Pittsfield native, died July 10 when rocks fell on him during a climb in the Northern Cascades, just north of Seattle, on Sharkfin Tower peak in the Boston Basin area.

Born on March 18, 1963, son of Manfred and Dorothy Rodeheaver Augenstein, he graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1981 and from Tri State University in Angola, Ind., in 1987. He moved to Seattle more than 10 years ago.

A licensed engineer, Mr. Augenstein was employed by the DLR Group in Seattle.

A highly experienced mountain climber, he had summited many of the major peaks in the Seattle area. He also was an accomplished landscape photographer. He was a member of the Mountaineers and was along on the hike to help teach new students how to climb.

While in Pittsfield, he attended Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Besides his parents, of Pittsfield, he leaves two sisters, Dorothy Jo Augenstein of Albany, N.Y., and Paula Andrews of Rochester, N.Y., and a brother, Paul Augenstein of Duncansville, Pa.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- John William Augenstein, a Pittsfield native, died in a climbing accident on July 10, 2005. He will be dearly missed by all those who were lucky enough to have met him. He felt an inner peace when he was on an outdoor adventure that few people ever get to experience. John's love of the great outdoors was infectious. To see his photographs or to hear him speak of his trips, you knew that he found peace in nature that made you long to venture out yourself. To be lucky enough to spend some time in nature with him, you learned that only the vastness of nature was big enough to contain his spirit. An intimate memorial service for him was held in Sedro Woolley, Wash., on July 26, with his immediate family and a few lifelong friends. In addition, there were two memorial services in Seattle for John and the other two climbers, Mark Harrison and Jo Backus, who were killed in the worst accident in the history of the Mountaineers club. Survivors include his sister-in-law, Fran Augenstein, and nieces Kara, Cheryl and Rachel, all of Duncansville, Pa.; and his brother-in-law, Tom Andrews, nephew, David, and niece, Kathleen, all of Rochester, N.Y.