FORT MILL, SC :::::::::: Retired Colonel Richard Harry Auman, age72, died Friday, December 25, 2009 at the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House in Rock Hill. He was born April 12, 1937 in Port Carbon, PA, the son of Mildred Harris Auman and the late Russell Auman and was the husband of Susan Herr Auman. Richard was a member of Osceola United Methodist Church. He was active in Civil War Roundtables, Crime Watch, Lifelong Learning and an avid Pickleball player. Richard was Class President of the last graduating class from Port Carbon Soldier's Memorial High School (1955). He was a Distinguished Military Student and Graduate from Penn State University (1959). Upon graduation, he was assigned to the US Armor School in Fort Knox, Kentucky (1959 - 60). He served in various positions while stationed in Germany with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in capacities ranging from Tank Platoon Leader to Training & Operations Officer (1960 - 63). Richard was commissioned as an Armor officer in the United States Army in 1959. He returned stateside as a Company Commander at the US Armor Center in Fort Knox, Kentucky (1963). He also served as a Senior Instructor at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio within the ROTC department (1964-67). Then, he served in various positions while stationed in Germany with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in capacities ranging from Tank Platoon Leader to Training & Operations Officer (1960 - 63). In the Army, he spent most of his time in Armor units and, toward the end of his career, leading a Military Police force, including those that supported the inauguration of Richard M. Nixon in January 1973. As a civilian, he served in various executive capacities in Security and Safety. After completing the Vietnamese Language Course and MATA (Military Assistance Training Advisory) Course, he was deployed to Vietnam as part of an Advisory Team until November 1968. Between his Vietnam deployments, he was assigned to Armor School at Fort Know as an Instructor and Branch Chief in the weapons department specializing in the M1 Shillelagh system (1969). He redeployed to Vietnam in 1970 as Regimental Advisor to the Army of Vietnam and Head & Headquarters Detachment Advisory Team Ninety-Six. He returned to the United States in 1971 and was assigned as Operations and Training Officer for Basic Combat Training Committee in Fort Dix, NJ (1971). He then served as the Executive Officer of 759th Military Police Battalion, where he commanded a 500 man provisional Military Police Battalion in support of Presidential Inauguration of Richard Nixon. Following this assignment, he was released from active duty to the Army Reservist 2059th US Army Reserve School, Harrisburg, PA. He served as a Major instructing the Army Officers Advanced Course and as a Colonel as the Commandant and Instructor of the Command and General Staff Program (1971 - 73). He bravely served with the US Army for two tours in Vietnam and retired from service as a ColonelArmy Education Completed: Armor Officer Basic CourseArmor Officer Advanced CourseMilitary Assistance Training Advisory (MATA) courseVietnamese Language CourseCommand and General Staff College After his military service, Richard was Security Director of Carpenter Technologies, Inc (1973 - 75). He founded Manpower Security Services (1975 - 83). He was a Security Analyst at GilbertCommonwealth (1983 - 85). Additionally, Richard was a Computer Specialist and Materials Analyst for Combat Development Command in Fort Belvoir, VA. (1985 - 1987). He served as the Security and Safety Director of ISC Corp (1989) and Security and Safety Director for National Liberty Life Insurance Company until 1991. Richard is predeceased by his father Russell Auman in 1973 and wife Charlotte (Gulko) Auman in 1992. Survived by his mother Mildred Auman of Pottsville, PA, his wife Susan (Herr) Auman of Fort Mill, SC, son David Auman, graduate of US Military Academy at West Point, daughter-in-law Christine Bassett Auman of Richmond, VA , son Kenneth Auman, graduate of Lehigh University, daughter-in-law Andi Jones Auman of Simsbury, CT, step-daughter Lisa Herr Ryhlick and her husband Brent Ryhlick of Trabuca Canyon, CA, step-daughter Karen Herr Lopez and her husband Jesse Lopez of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. He was devoted to his family and left each of them with many lessons and memories. Richard was blessed with nine grandchildren, Brendan Auman, Luke Bassett, Sadie Bassett, Matthew Ryhlick, Michael Ryhlick, Nicolas Lopez, Jordyn Lopez, Riley Charlotte Auman and Grayson Auman.The Celebration of Life Funeral Service for Colonel Auman will be 9:00 am, Wednesday morning, December 30, 2009 at Kuhn Funeral Home with the graveside service to follow at Schuylkill Memorial Park. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am January 12, 2010 at Osceola United Methodist Church in Lancaster, SC. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Osceola United Methodist Church, 6575 Charlotte Highway, Lancaster, SC 29720.