DAVID LAUTH

LAUTH, DAVID F. REAR ADMIRAL January 21, 1928 to October 14, 2011 REAR ADMIRAL David F. Lauth After suffering a short battle with a brain tumor, David Lauth passed away at home surrounded by family on October 14, 2011. David Francis was born on January 21, 1928, at Buffalo, N.Y., where he graduated from South Park High School in 1945. He graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn., with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Engineering and with a commission of Ensign in June, 1949. His assignments included duties aboard USCGC Humboldt and USCGC Dexter out of Boston. His next assignment was the Coast Guard Loran Transmitting Station at Talampulan, Philippines. This assignment was followed by Captain of the Port Office at San Francisco as Executive Officer. He next served as Executive Officer in the buoy tender RSCGC Magnolia out of the Golden Gate area. He was reserve administrator in Cleveland, Ohio. In Galveston, Texas he first served as Executive Officer of the Coast Guard Station and then commanded the tender, USCGC IRIS. Before leaving Galveston he was awarded the Coast Guard Letter of Commendation and Coast Guard Commendation Medal for his work during Hurricane Carla following the collision of the M/V Union Reliance and the tanker Berean. His action prevented the loss of the tanker. From the University of Pittsburgh, PA., he was awarded a Master Degree of Public Administration. From there he was assigned to Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C. He was named Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs for the newly created Department of Transportation. For meritorious performance of duty in that post, he was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Coast Guard Commendation Medal. In June 1969, he assumed command of the USCGC MINNETONKA, based at Long Beach, California. He considered this assignment to be the highlight of his career! He returned to Headquarters to serve in the Office of Boating Safety first as Chief, Planning and Evaluation Staff and then as Executive Director, Boating Safety Advisory Council. For those services, he was awarded the Coast Guard Achievement Medal. He was selected and promoted to Rear Admiral July 1, 1975, after which he was designated Chief, Office of Boating Safety. In June 1978, RADM Lauth assumed the post of Commander of the 14th Coast Guard District, Honolulu, HI from which he retired in June 1980. His post Coast Guard positions included Vice President of Holland America Cruises, Administrator of the Law Center at USD. His volunteer services included the El Cajon Fire Department, Our Lady of Grace food pantry, California Cruise Ship Industry and the Eagle Scout Advisory Board. He is survived by his wife of 55½ years, the former Catherine McDermott, his daughter Susan Hartnett (Michael), grandchildren, Austin Barron, Ciara and Mikey Hartnett, all of San Diego. He was predeceased by his daughter Mary Katherine Lauth in 2007. Funeral Mass will be held on October 26, 2011 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. located at 2766 Navajo Road, El Cajon, CA 92020, with inurnment at 1:00 p.m. at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Road, San Diego.