Oscar Auer, 97, of Litchfield, Connecticut died at home on February 8, 2018.
Oscar was born on May 14, 1920 in Munich, Bavaria, Germany with strong Kothhuber, Lutz, and Auer family roots. After emigrating to the USA in 1927, Oscar settled in Manhattan then Astoria New York with parents Barbara and Frederick Auer, and USA born sister Catherine Auer Ciatto, now of New Orleans, LA. After High School, Oscar was drafted into the US Army, and served several US postings in WWII. When he arrived to attend to brain injured soldiers quartered at Avon Old Farms School, he met his future bride, Vivian Engstrom, who was serving coffee to soldiers in a cantina as they arrived at Hartford’s train station. Oscar and Vivian married in 1945 and raised a family of six children in Killingworth. He received a Bachelor of Education degree at CCSU and his Masters at University of Hartford. Vivian preceded him in death in 1971. Oscar went on to marry Inga Leonardson Wagner and settled in Litchfield. After 30 years of teaching reading skills to elementary students, he retired in 1980. Inga retired in 1982 and passed away in 2016.
In retirement, Oscar enjoyed the outdoors, chopping wood and clearing land, kayaking, frequently walking to Our Lady of Lourds’ Shrine, and playing with his many grandchildren. He was an avid history reader. Oscar served as a deacon at the Litchfield Congregational Church as well as volunteering as a literacy volunteer at the Litchfield Jail.
From his marriage to Vivian, he is survived by 3 sons, Arthur (and wife Elizabeth) Auer of Lyndeborough, New Hampshire, Fred Auer of Durham, and Karl (and wife Janice) Auer of Killingworth, two daughters, Leslie Auer-Anderson (and husband Richard) of Simsbury, and Linnea Moore (who resided with Oscar as caregiver). A son, Eric Auer (survived by wife Evelyn), of Killingworth, preceded Oscar’s passing in 2017. Oscar was proudly blessed by 13 grandchildren: Sonya Auer, Sasha Auer, Kirsten Auer, Vivian Auer, Eric Auer, Sarah Auer, Jason Cornelio, Lindsay Cornelio, Avery Auer, Aaron Auer, Robert Lee, Megan Moore, and Brittany Moore.
From his marriage to Inga, he is survived by step-children, Mark (and wife Judy) Wagner of Cambridge, MA, Christian (and wife Christine) Wagner of Thompson, CT, and Wendy Lupien of Pomfret Center, CT, and 5 grandchildren, Eric Wagner, Elaina Wagner, Leslie Lupien, Christopher Lupien and Lauren Lupien (predeceased by).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Torrington Food Pantry or the Oliver Wolcott Library.
Arrangements: A memorial service will be held at the Litchfield Congregational Church in the Spring. Newspaper announcement will be made. Burial will be private. Rowe Funeral Home, 283 Torrington Rd., Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.

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