Donald Joseph Augustin

Donald Joseph Augustin was born on May 7, 1934 to Anna (Selland) and Joseph Augustin in Rugby, North Dakota. He passed away peacefully with friends by his side, on July 1, 2025 at the age of 91 in Lake Forest, CA.
Don grew up in Rugby, North Dakota, distinguishing himself on the Rugby High School basketball team and as valedictorian of his class of 1952. He received a degree in Business Administration from the University of North Dakota in 1956, and in 1977 was inducted into the North Dakota Athletics Hall of Fame for accomplishments in football and basketball. From 1956-1960, Don served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Washington D.C. At this time, he played football for Bolling Air Force Base and basketball for Andrews Air Force Base. Don worked for 13 years as a cost analyst for North American Rockwell. He earned his master's degree in Eastern European and Russian history from California State University, Fullerton in 1978. He then moved to Mission Viejo, CA and was employed by the U.S. Postal Service.
In his own words, Don was "A stubborn German-Norwegian from North Dakota-Minnesota". He often commented on this hardy stock being the cause of his backbone, grit, dry humor and deep rooted values. He truly loved this country and was a steadfast conservative. At his 90th birthday celebration Don spoke about how much friends and family meant to him. Though a confirmed bachelor, he made friends wherever he went, keeping in close contact with dozens of people through weekly phone calls and letters. He had a genuine interest in the life stories people shared and had many lively stories of his own with his athletic escapades of youth, service in the USAF, saloon days in Corona Del Mar, years at the infamous Desert Inn in Las Vegas, and yearly trips with close friends to the Sacramento Jazz Festival. He was a cherished friend to many and brought more smiles to strangers than he ever knew.
"Big Don" (Augie) was a researcher at heart, with people in awe of the wide variety of topics he was knowledgeable about, sparking great debates and discussions. He amassed a 20,000 volume home personal library and published over 45 documents known as "The Donald J. Augustin Papers" (1970-2010) which are archived at the University of North Dakota. They cover a wide variety of topics including Eastern European and Russian history, football, Dixieland Jazz, the Blue Angels, and Las Vegas and the Mob. He was a lover of vocabulary, classic movies, and football and always had pen and paper in hand accumulating endless pages of facts. Don loved the Blue Angels precision flying team, attending air shows and collecting scores of personalized lithographs. Throughout his life he assembled over 160 model airplanes.
A love for animals was one of Don's greatest passions in life, and he was a beloved pet owner and pet sitter to many. A champion for those who could not do for themselves, Don was a supporter of numerous animal charities. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his favorite, Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
Don was preceded in death by his mother Anna, father Joseph, and sister Phyllis. He is survived by his nephews, David (Dianne) and Don (Marcia) Vangsnes, and by his niece Peggy (Tom) Hanson.Our heartfelt thanks to both the staff of The Oasis Board and Care and Vitas Hospice Care for the grace and dignity they extended to Don in his last months.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 16 at O'Connor Mortuary, 25301 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Hills, CA. A luncheon will follow at Lucille's Barbecue in Lake Forest. His interment will be at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, California.
Don, you left your mark on this world through friendship, optimism and wisdom. Rest in peace dear friend.