John graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1953. He attended Cornell University and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in just three years. After college, he joined the Navy for active duty and later served in the active reserves until June 1963. The Navy introduced John to Hawaii, where he met Patricia Meyer. He and Patricia settled in Kailua and John worked for Hawaiian Electric Company until a job at Corning Glass Works took him, along with his growing family, to upstate New York. He later returned to Hawaii and a management position at Dole Food Company. John continued to work in agribusiness both in Hawaii and in Asia- in particular, Chiang Mai, Thailand, where he lived for many years before returning to his Kailua home permanently in 2017.
People often commented (to his delight) that John seemed much younger than his years. His mind stayed sharp with spirited discussions, attention to news and world affairs, storytelling, genealogy, and crosswords. He kept physically strong by walking around "The Lake", running on his treadmill, going to the gym, playing golf with his sons and grandsons, skiing, DIY projects, and meticulous weeding of his yard. His spirit was uplifted by keeping in touch with friends and family, and by traveling extensively and often. He enjoyed visiting loved ones across the US mainland and rarely missed important milestone events. Asia was a favorite destination of his until the Pandemic restricted his freedom to travel and left him just short of logging two million miles on United. John thoroughly enjoyed a good time, especially if it involved sport (including negotiating a great deal anyplace, anytime), concerts, a beautiful sunset, a delicious meal, or a great margarita.
John was predeceased by his parents, John H. Auten and Ruth Staples, and by his wife, Patricia A. Auten. He is survived by his sisters, Eleanor Goldberg and Jean Duncan; his sons Douglas S. (Beth) Auten, and Gary M. Auten; step-daughters, Katherine S. Erwin and Kimberlea A. Johnson; eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Celebration of the Life of John Auten will be held on Saturday, June 18th at 11:00 AM at Valley of the Temples, Trousdale Chapel, Kaneohe, Hawaii.
Arrangements Provided By: Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary
