Runte, AugustAugust Runte, lovingly known as Gus, died of cancer on July 31, 2017, in Atascadero, California. A native of Binghamton, he was 72. Despite his illness he remained upbeat, enjoying his two beloved Scotties, partner Corinn, and an occasional martini "off the books." Gus was born on April 13, 1945, to Paul and Erika Brinkmann Runte. Their South Side address overlooked a bustling city. Then known as the Parlor City, Binghamton still beckoned to working-class immigrants eager for their children to succeed. "Everyone learned English," Gus recalled. After attending Abraham Lincoln Elementary and East Junior High, he graduated Binghamton North High School in 1964. A member of First Presbyterian Church, he was active in choir and Boy Scouts, in scouting earning the distinguished Order of the Arrow. In college he studied forestry, graduating with an associate's degree from Paul Smith's College in 1967. Moving from the Adirondacks to east Texas, he completed his bachelor's degree in forest recreation at Stephen F. Austin State University in 1969. Avoiding the draft he enlisted in officers' cadet school, surprising himself with his fondness for army life. He stayed 23 years, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, simultaneously earning an M.A. in personnel management from Central Michigan University. Among Gus's Army postings his two tours in Germany were his favorites. Nearby in Switzerland he discovered the glorious Lauterbrunnen Valley. Considered Europe's Yosemite, its mountains and waterfalls touched his soul. Now ten years married and with two sons, Gus took full advantage of each day abroad. Between camping and skiing at Lauterbrunnen, the family visited every country in Europe and, after the collapse of the Berlin Wall, many behind the Iron Curtain. On leaving the Army in 1992, Gus brought his family back to Binghamton. Now largely abandoned by industry it was just not the city he had known. He nonetheless determined to stay and become a teacher. Further instructing the city on urban beautification he started a volksmarching (walking) club. From his youth, he fondly remembered Binghamton's spacious parks and tree-lined streets. As in Europe, the Parlor City's way back to urban health, he believed, demanded more activities for young professionals. In 1997, Gus finally said his farewells, moving with his family to California. California had its own problems, he discovered. Teaching mid-level math and social studies he devoted a decade to the state's poorest public schools. On retirement, his charitable pursuits included a huge private garden, from which he supplied fresh produce to the local food bank. Most of its patrons (and his family) never knew. He also paid for weekly pizza night at the homeless shelter. Indeed his retirement years, all in California, were the happiest of his life. Making the transition, he met his soul mate Corinn, taking her flowers on every date. Like Gus, Corinn loved animals and outdoor exercise, having grown up on the family ranch. Together they cruised the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Hawaii and Alaska. After Corinn sold the ranch, Gus bought a pickup truck and trailer, taking her to 47 of the lower 48 states. Dundee and Brodee, the family Scotties, rode shotgun in the cab. They hoped to continue traveling, until Gus's illness intervened. Throughout, he courageously prepared for the journey all of us take alone. His only regret was the many friends he had lost without getting to say goodbye, especially Fred Marks, Gary Gunther and Dick Borden, his dearest pals from Binghamton days. Among his immediate family, Gus leaves Corinn, sons Paul and Lucas (Dolores), grandchildren Hannah, Natalie and Cameron, and Brother Alfred (Christine). His Aunt Ruth, now 97, remembers the flowers he sent just months ago. That was Gus, always thinking of others, even when his chemotherapy got him down. His honorary daughters, Joelle and Danielle, can also take pride in a father-figure whose generosity exceeded his faults. No formal memorial service will be held. The family suggests instead donations to . Gus applauded . No child should die of cancer. Dundee and Brodee, forever Gus's best therapy, would also be the first to agree.