Harold Max Auer passed away of natural causes on August 14, 2014. He was 87 years old. Cremation has taken place with Croxford Funeral Home & Crematory and a private graveside service with military honors will be held at Ft. Harrison’s Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery at a later date.

“Howie”, as he preferred to be called, was born in Grant City on Staten Island in New York on November 29, 1926. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the US Navy, where he served in the Pacific as a tail gunner on an SB2C in the Marines Turkey Shoot. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Syracuse University. In 1954 he was married to Caroline Alston, but the union was dissolved just one year later.

Howie was an accomplished swim coach with an impressive history: he was Swim Coach at Coral Gables High School, named Coach of the Year by the Miami News in 1958 & 1960, Assistant Swim Coach at both Santa Clara Swim Club in California and the University of Illinois, Head Coach for the Philippine National Olympic Swim Team, and was the Head Coach and Athletic Director at Wright Patterson Air Force Base until his retirement. In his spare time, Howie enjoyed collecting coins and stamps.

Survivors are his son, Harold A. Auer of Great Falls; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his father, Maximilian Auer; mother, Ana Auer; sister, Jocelyn; and nephew, Mark Signenthlear.

 Service Information