Robert (Bob) J. Augustine passed away July 22, 2024, in Dana Point, CA, at the age of 76 from advanced cancer. As always, he was surrounded in love by his wife of 49 years, Ann Vaeth Augustine, his daughter Kristin and daughter Jessica and her husband Gregory Dunlap along with their two devoted rescue dogs. Green Meadows Home Care and Hospice gently assisted in his care during his last few days of life.

Bob was born on Dec. 11, 1947, in Philadelphia to Mary (Conway) and William P. Augustine, both of whom predeceased him. He was lovingly named after his deceased uncle Robert Conway, a pilot who was shot down in the Pacific during the early years of WWII. He was little brother to sister Virginia Augustine Ioli and big brother to Janice Augustine, both of Philadelphia, who survive him. He was also preceded in death by his brother-in-law Daniel Ioli.

Growing up, he was especially close to his Grandmother Augustine. He, his sisters and parents enjoyed Sunday and holiday dinners together at her home in the little town of Sutersville, PA. Regular trips to his grandmother Conway's home in Collingdale, PA, also held many favorite memories for Bob of hanging out with all his mother's brothers, sleeping in the attic room, playing in the streets and exploring the “wilderness” beyond the backyard fence.

As a young boy in Pittsburgh, Bob attended St. Francis Xavier and St. Sebastian grade schools, where he was an altar boy and cub scout. He spent summers at the Jersey Shore with his sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins, playing on the beach, crabbing, boating, and shelling. A lover of nature and the outdoors, he kept several aquariums of tropical fish and was an avid beachcomber who could never have too many seashells in his “collection.” He enjoyed pinochle, Monopoly, and other board games with the extended family, riding his bike everywhere, and playing dodgeball, kickball, and softball with the neighborhood kids in the street. And, as a child of the ‘60s, he loved Motown music.

Bob was a graduate of North Catholic High School and Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1969. He also received a B.S. degree in biology from Towson University in Maryland. During his college years, he worked with the US Postal Service delivering mail throughout Pittsburgh and cheering on his beloved Steelers. After graduating from college, he moved to Baltimore to work at the Social Security Administration headquarters, where he received many awards over the years for dedicated and outstanding work. It was there he met his wife, Ann, and they were married in January 1975 during a lunchtime jaunt out of the office.

Shortly thereafter their two adored daughters were born, and Bob began his second – and favorite – career as the best “girl dad” ever. He taught his girls to love nature, taking them to early spring ponds in Patapsco State Park to collect tadpoles and raise them into frogs before releasing them back into the wild. He encouraged his children’s menagerie of snakes, turtles, birds, gerbils, fish, and kittens and spent countless hours tending to the enchanting gardens he and Ann designed and planted. Beloved by children, Bob would create magic amongst the neighborhood kids by playing “Monster” during warm summer nights in Baltimore County – scaring the children half to death while they begged for more. He also coached girls’ recreational softball for several years and was known for his quiet and fun-loving guidance. After work, he would spend hours throwing a football or softball with Jessica and playing volleyball in the yard with Kristin, as well as all the girls’ friends.

Bob was clever and industrious. He loved to work on house projects and enjoyed doing his own work to re-roof, reside, repaint, build shelves and cabinets, do electrical work and car maintenance. He taught himself everything he knew as a handyman, and he could be found deep in thought perusing YouTube videos and other articles to teach himself how to perform a home or car task. He was also thoughtful and introspective. He was a NYT crossword puzzle aficionado, he loved philosophizing about space and time, intentionally rewatching his favorite ‘weird’ movies, and debating history and politics over Orange Crushes or Rolling Rocks. Bob could be gleefully cynical, which delighted many, but he was fun and funny – sitting across a table with laughing eyes and a bemused smile.

After retiring from a 40-plus year career with the federal government, Bob and Ann moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and lived near the wild horses of Assateague National Seashore and the beaches of Ocean City. During these years they also traveled extensively in their camper and covered the entire East Coast and all of maritime Canada to Labrador, and crisscrossed the country several times. Intentionally meandering journeys were the highlights of those happy years, in addition to time spent with family, old and new friends and neighbors, and beloved nieces and nephews – Anne Dugan, Mary Hanson, Elizabeth Kapral, Hilary Murray and Robert Vaeth. And then came the “greats” – Caroline, Catie, Sophia, Julia, Kirby, Aubrey and Reilly. His "little" cousin Jimmy Conway always held a special place in his heart and the two were fearless comedians together. He loved visits to Ann’s “country” cousins in Sharpsburg, MD, and those cousins became his, too. Those who knew Bob universally loved him.

After Jessica and Greg, and then Kristin, moved to southern California, Bob and Ann were soon to follow. Finding a home at the beach in Dana Point, near both girls, was a godsend especially as Bob was diagnosed with cancer shortly after this move. Being in a warm climate and close to his girls and wonderful son-in-law was a gift to Bob in his final two years of life. They gave him the best solace, support, and friendship during the difficult times.

The family wishes to thank all those who sent flowers, emails, texts, cards, remembrances, gifts of food, and other support through this period. A memorial service celebrating his life is being planned in California and later in Maryland in the fall. If you would like, you may donate in his name to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance at https://colorectalcancer.org/ or a charity of your choice.

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