John F. Gauen passed away on April 16, 2003 at the age of 79 in the TriCities Chaplaincy Hospice in Kennewick, Washington, after an extended illness. He was born to Esther and Joseph Gauen on February 2, 1924 in Billings, Montana. He spent most of his boyhood in Bridger, Montana, & graduated from Bridger High School in '42. He then enrolled in Montanan State University, completing a year of study before he was drafted into the Army. He served as an Army Scout in the European Theater of World War II from Dec '43 until May '46. After the war he finished his degree in Chemical Engineering at MSU in June '49. On June 9, 1951 he was married to Vivian Louise Heald of Belfry at the First Presbyterian Church in Billings, Montana. He worked as the Senior Environmental Engineer at the Continental Oil Refinery until Dec 1, 1981. For his pioneering work on bioremediation at the Billings refinery, he was listed in ''Who's Who in the West''. Always a Montana boy at heart, he loved the mountains, & enjoyed boating, fishing, skiing, & gardening. He was known for his sense of humor, & gave people around him a smile even during the final course of his illness. He is survived by two daughters, Nancy Gauen Isern & Susan Gauen of Kennewick Washington, two grandchildren, Heidi Isern of Seattle, Washington & Hans Isern of Portland, Oregon, & his brother, Robert Gauen of St. Helens, Oregon. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2003 at 11:00 am at Einan’s Funeral Home, 915 By-Pass Hwy, Richland. Those that want to, donations may be made to the Tri-cities Chaplaincy Hospice House, 2108 W. Entiat, Kennewick, WA 99336.