Rev. Paul Edward Hauenstein, 66, died Jan. 17, 2010, at his home in Vero Beach.
He was born in North Tonawanda, N.Y., and lived in Vero Beach since 2008.
Rev. Hauenstein was the founding pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Sebastian, where he served from 1985-2000. He was most recently a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Vero Beach.
He was a charter member of Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, North Tonawanda, N.Y.
Rev. Hauenstein was an ordained Lutheran pastor for 40 years and a missionary to Brazil from 1975-1979. He also served parishes in Wisconsin for five years, Nebraska for five years, and Florida for 23 years until he became disabled in 2007, and he spent 19 years as chair of the Florida-Bahamas Synod Outreach Committee.
Rev. Hauenstein was a 1965 graduate of Capital University and a 1969 graduate of Trinity Seminary. He was a member of several ministerial associations, Lion’s Club, Sertoma Club, Lemon Bay Chord Company Barbershop Chorus, and Vero Beach H.S. Band Boosters (of which he was Chaperone Coordinator for seven years and President for one year). He was also an Eagle Scout, Vigil Honor recipient, and Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America and Order of the Arrow, where his Indian name was “Sacho Gunim Meh” (“the unselfish leader”).
Survivors include his wife, Diane Hauenstein of Vero Beach, FL; a son, Peter Robert Hauenstein of Astoria, NY; daughters Lisa Diane Ross and Kathi Ann Hauenstein, both of Vero Beach; brothers Robert Lee Hauenstein of Wermelskirchen, Germany and Herbert A. Hauenstein of Indian Rocks Beach; and 2 grandsons.
He was preceded in death by parents Evelyn and Edward Hauenstein and grandson Deion Evans.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1850 Sixth Ave., Vero Beach, FL 32960; Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1301 Sebastian Blvd., Sebastian, FL 32958; or Haiti Partners in Health, P.O. Box 845578, Boston, MA 02284-5578, in memory of Rev. Paul E. Hauenstein.
Visitation will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Jan. 21, 2010 at Strunk Funeral Home, Sebastian.
A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Vero Beach, with the Revs. A.C. “Jack” Diehl III and Shelly Satran officiating.
Burial will be at Crestlawn Cemetery, Vero Beach.A guest book may be signed at Strunkfuneralhome.com.
