American Sports activities Automobile Racing legend, August “Augie” Pabst Jr. handed away at dwelling whereas surrounded by family and friends on Wednesday, October ninth, 2024, on the age of 90. Augie is survived by his spouse, Joan “Joanie”, his 4 youngsters, James (Paisley), Christina, August III (Katherine) and Eugenie. He’s additionally survived by his 5 grandchildren, Isaac (Karen), Blu, Lucy, Madeline, August IV and three great-grandchildren, Hawk, River, and Ike. Augie was preceded in dying by his father, August Pabst and his mom Eugenie Pabst.
An inductee of the Motorsports Corridor of Fame in addition to the SCCA Corridor of Fame, Augie made a reputation for himself not just for his nice success on the observe but in addition for his recognition and charisma off the observe.
In 1956, after founding Pabst Motors, an imported automotive dealership in Milwaukee, Augie started his racing profession within the SCCA, which shortly led to alternatives driving for among the biggest groups of his time, together with Meister Brauser, Shelby American, John Wyer, Briggs Cunningham, NART-Ferrari, and John Mecom. His teammates included Walt Hansgen, Roger Penske and Invoice Wuesthoff.
Driving most of the most famous automobiles of his period — Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes, Corvette, Lotus, Jaguar, Chaparral, Lola, McLaren, Shelby Cobra, Ford GT40, and his all-time favourite, Scarab – Augie received many races. These embrace main occasions at Sebring, Watkins Glen, Meadowdale, Nassau, Mosport, Daytona, and the Street America 500. He received two Nationwide Championships throughout his storied profession. He competed in Europe within the 24hrs of Le Mans twice, and Manufacturers Hatch within the UK. He even managed to throw in a handful of inventory automotive races together with the 1963 Riverside NASCAR occasion, in a Ford Galaxy.
After a profitable racing profession, Augie went to work for Pabst Brewing Firm. He discovered the science of brewing whereas attending Siebel Institute of Brewing in Chicago. He mastered the enterprise from the bottom up by working in every division of the brewery. By means of time and expertise, when Augie left the Brewery in 1983, after 17 years of service, he’d risen to the place of Government Vice President and was a sitting member of the board.
Not all in favour of sitting nonetheless, he took over as President of Pabst Farms, a large-scale farming and industrial drying operation in Oconomowoc Wisconsin in 1984, till retiring in 2012. Pabst Farms was began by his grandfather, Fred Pabst Jr, who, alongside along with his grandmother, Ida, raised Augie after his personal father, Augie Sr., died on the age of 34. Augie spoke typically of beloved reminiscences driving horses along with his grandfather, surveying the Farm. Extra lately he loved visiting the stables the place his daughter Eugenie’s horses are boarded. He loved feeding treats to the horses and “horsing round” as he referred to as it, being on the barn at all times introduced him again to his childhood.
Augie by no means left the racing world. At all times a well-known, smiling face at his dwelling observe of Street America, Augie served on the board of administrators and could possibly be seen drawing massive crowds whereas racing his classic sports activities automobiles. When his son Augie III’s Pabst Racing Workforce joined the USF Professional Championships, Augie took nice satisfaction in seeing the crew win a number of Workforce and Driver Championships, carrying on his legacy in motorsports.
An avid outdoorsman, Augie loved looking geese on Lake Winnebago, fly fishing the Deschutes River, looking upland recreation and cruising Oconomowoc Lake on his pontoon boat. He grew to become keen about snowmobiling after his pricey late associates Richard Bickler and John Fitch launched him the extra trendy snowmobiles in 1984.
Joanie was the middle of Augie’s universe. Collectively, they participated in highway rallies around the globe, together with The Colorado Grand, Mille Millia, Monte Carlo and Copperstate 1000. Spending time in Door County of their motorhome was a favourite getaway, particularly within the fall. They cherished spending New Yr’s Eve with youngsters and grandchildren in Land O’ Lakes, WI and loved many winters in Paradise Valley, AZ.
Augie will likely be remembered for his mild nature, thoughtfulness and altruistic generosity. His smile lit up the world. He was the embodiment of kindness and selflessness, at all times placing others first. His life was wealthy with love, laughter and achievement. He beloved treating his household and associates to dinners at Crimson Circle Inn -or as Augie referred to as it “The Inexperienced Sq. Out”-, Hartland Inn, OLC and Glenda’s. His witty humorousness and his fierce love for these in his life will likely be sorely missed by all who have been lucky sufficient to know him. And sure, he drove his Hertz Ford Falcon rental automotive into the Mark Thomas Lodge pool in Monterey, CA in October of 1961, on a wager.
A household burial and a personal celebration of life will likely be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Augie’s identify could also be made to the Pabst Mansion, a spot close to and pricey to his coronary heart.
As Augie was identified for saying, “drive quick!”.
