Dr. August "Gus" Kuchta Dr. August D. Kuchta passed away on September 22, 2015 at the Athens Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born on March 27, 1931 in East Vandergrift, PA to his late parents Michael and Mary Kuchta. After graduating high school, he attended Penn State University where he obtained a B.S. in Chemistry in 1953. While in college, he was in Air Force ROTC. Following graduation, he served 2 years in the Korean Conflict. The year before returning home from Korea in 1954, he had one extra Christmas card that he sent to the former Nancy Joan Wiant (more on this later). Upon his return from the Korean Conflict as a 2nd Lieutenant, he attended graduate school at the University of Maryland. Gus received his PH.D. in Physical Chemistry in 1960. He began and spent his entire career at E.I. DuPont Corporation where he worked on a number of products, most notably photopolymers for which he received numerous patents and several awards. He retired in 1992. In addition to work and raising a family, Gus enjoyed numerous hobbies and activities. He golfed avidly and was a member of Shepard Hills since 1972 when he moved to the Valley. Gus enjoyed bowling and bridge and sang bass in the Epiphany Church choir. He was a member of the Sayre Rotary, serving as President for one year, was on the Board of Directors for the Sayre Theater renovation and was a Trustee at the Sayre Library. Gus had a number of intellectual hobbies, including being a member of the Valley Philosophical Society and the Elmira Torch Society. In 1992, he was the Bradford County Representative of the Patriot Party. In 1956, Gus married and is survived by Joan (Wiant) Kuchta. Even though they knew each other since middle school, they only became much better acquainted after Gus sent his extra Christmas card. He is also survived by his three sons, Dr. Robert Kuchta and wife Lucy of Boulder, CO, Greg Kuchta and wife Ayla of Fort Collins, CO, and Tom Kuchta and wife Sarah May of Hollis, NH, along with seven grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews as well as countless good friends who brought joy to his heart. His parents and 8 siblings predeceased Gus. Friends and family may call on Friday, September 25, 2015 from 6pm – 8pm at the Jay E. Lowery Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 225 South Main Street, Athens, PA. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 10am at the Church of the Epiphany, 304 South Elmer Ave., Sayre, PA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that memorial donations be made to the Parkinson's Research Foundation (www.parkinsonhope.org), the Sayre Library (www.sayrepl.org), or the charity of one's choice. Lastly, it should be noted that Gus was a loyal and avid NY Yankee fan as well as a lover of pies. On the same day Gus died, Yogi Berra the famous Yankee catcher died. And as Yogi said, "Please cut my pie into four pieces because I don't think I can eat eight." (For those wishing to sign the E-guestbook, send flowers or tapestries, or send condolences may do so by visiting www.loweryfuneralhome.com)