Loving husband, father, grandfather, great grand-father and friend, Richard Floyd Austin, age
89, of Winchester, TN passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his home on Monday,
August 14, 2023.
A native of Lake Worth, FL, he was the son of the late Floyd Austin and May Eva Austin Weil.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Mary Ann Bauer Austin, as well as son, Andy
Knapper (Kathy); daughters, Eva Austin (Bill), Anna Austin Stewart (Richard), Gina Austin
Cleek, Kristie Austin Sanders (Robby), Dorene Kordal (Richard) in addition to be blessed with
10 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces and
nephews.
He was preceded in death by brothers Clifford Austin and Harold Austin.
Richard was born on October 20, 1933 in Lake Worth, FL. He attended Lake Worth High
School and joined the Navy soon after. He was a veteran of both the US Navy and the Korean
War. He graduated in1958 from the University of Florida-Gainesville with a degree in
aeronautical engineering.
He accepted employment at Arnold Engineering Development Center in 1958 where he
embarked on a 35 year career from which he retired in 1993. There, he met the love of his life,
Mary Ann Bauer. They were married at First Methodist Church in Winchester on June 25, 1960.
They purchased land on Holder’s Cove Road later that year and built a home where they have
lived for the last 63 years. During that time, they bought Cedar Winds Farm. He loved the land
dearly as well as the animals who lived there. He had a special place in his heart for his cats.
Known for his integrity, honesty and hard work ethic, Richard served in several leadership roles
at AEDC and was selected and honored to attend the National War College in Washington, DC
where he learned strategic initiatives. He was inducted in 2001 to the AEDC Fellows Program
for his visionary leadership in helping build and create defense strategies and strategic alliances
that helped break the back of communism.
He also pursued entrepreneurial interests and joined a business partner and friend in opening a
small business bringing the equipment rental concept to Tullahoma, Shelbyville, and
Winchester. He held a patent for an engine timer.
Serving as a mentor to young people was one of his favorite activities. He enjoyed lifting up and
instilling confidence in young people to better themselves and further their education.
Richard (Dad) was an amazing parent to his children, always encouraging them to pursue their
dreams and educational goals, while supporting their many activities. He loved to introduce his
children and grandchildren to new hobbies and interests including farming, photography,
astronomy, theater, and music. He had high expectations of them and instilled in them a great
sense of stewardship and working for “the greater good.” In the words of Tennyson, “To strive, to
seek, to find, and not to yield.” He was proud of his children and grandchildren, and they were
of him.
Richard was a sailor at heart. He loved travel, the outdoors and sailing the seas. He was
blessed to have owned and enjoyed sailing his beautiful “Dream Catcher” catamaran on which
he took many memorable trips including voyages to Belize, Cuba, Guatemala and the Florida
Keys.
He traveled around the world including a trip at age 86 to Chile where he accomplished his goal
of sailing around Cape Horn. He also did mission work in Cuba and assisted in medication
collection and disbursement.
He was a man of deep faith and lived by the Golden Rule. He and Mary Ann were members of
Trinity Episcopal Church for over 40 years. He was a constant encourager, an avid Bible and
Christian literature reader, and a man of prayer. He taught Sunday school at Trinity.
In 1992, he and Mary Ann, were instrumental in establishing the Franklin County Salvation
Army and worked many holidays organizing the familiar “bell ringers” throughout the community.
He was a member of the Franklin County Rotary Club and the Gideons. In his last days,
Richard talked of looking forward to “the great reunion” and when asked who he was most
looking forward to seeing he replied, “Jesus.”
The family is grateful for the comfort and care provided by every member of Compassus
Palliative and Hospice Care teams, the Amedisys therapy and nursing teams, his private duty
sitters, neighbors and friends who made the last days of his life on this Earth as comfortable as
possible.
The family’s parting sentiments to him are best reflected in one of his favorite phrases: “We
hate to see you go, but we sure need the space.”
The family requests memorials to be made to the Salvation Army of Franklin County or Animal
Harbor.
Moore-Cortner Funeral Home 300 1st Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, (931)967-2222
