Richard Laverne 'Richard L. Dick Gaugler Gaugler

Richard Laverne Gaugler, "Dick," 86, died on Wednesday, April 25. He was born July 21, 1925 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Mabel and George Gaugler. Immediately following high school in Beaver Falls, Dick served in the 94th Infantry of the U.S. Army. He was awarded the Silver Star for his bravery and heroic actions in 1945, received the Purple Heart and was honorably discharged in January 1946. Dick graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1949 and received his Masters in Business Administration from Columbia University in 1950. He married Nina Ann Patterson on October 25, 1950 and they moved to Greenwich Village, New York. Dick worked at WR Grace for several years before accepting a position at Alcoa as a recruiting officer. They soon moved to Pittsburgh where their first two children, Lynne Ann and Richard James were born. Dick was transferred to Cleveland, Ohio where their third child, Diane Lee was born. Alcoa again moved them to Oklahoma City in 1966 where they have remained ever since. One year after moving to Oklahoma, Alcoa wanted to again transfer Dick back to Pennsylvania. He was fortunately recruited by William "Bill" and Nona Jean Hulsey to stay in Oklahoma City to serve as Vice President of Operations at Macklanburg-Duncan where he eventually became President, Chairman and Chairman-Emeritus. Dick always preferred to be known as a Business Leader versus a Civic Leader although he served in multiple capacities outside of M-D. He was a long-time member of the Aluminum Extruders Council, served as President in 1974 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. Dick served in volunteer capacities at the United Way of Central Oklahoma, YMCA, Salvation Army, Allied Arts and on the boards of the Community Literacy Center, Junior Achievement, and the Oklahoma State Fair Board for many years. Even after living in Oklahoma for many years, Dick remained a Pitt and Steelers fan but also enjoyed Sooner football. He loved spending time in La Quinta, California, where he spent the last 25 winters, with both old friends from Oklahoma and new friends from California and other states. He was a member of The Fortune Club and Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. Dick was an avid golfer and enjoyed a good round of Gin Rummy. He was also a member of Quail Creek Golf and Country Club for 46 years. If he couldn't be found, your best bet was to call the card room in the men's grill where he logged hours upon hours playing Gin with friends. Dick loved to travel and was fortunate to see much of the world. Dick was a long-time member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Dick was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Gene Gaugler. He is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Nina; daughter, Lynne Henneke; son, Richard and his wife, Veronica; daughter, Diane Lippert and her husband Joel; grandchildren, Bret Henneke, Ryan Henneke, Lauren Henneke, Michelle Gaugler, Alex Gaugler, Jordan Lippert and Marti Lippert. Services will be Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4400 N. Shartel, Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Heart Association, Westminster Presbyterian Church or the charity of choice.