Eugene A. Augusto, 82, of Villa Grove, CO, died Sunday December 30, 2012 at his home in the mountains he loved. He was born December 3, 1930 in Solvay, New York to Anthony and Catherine (Dinardo) Augusto. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1948, where he worked as a flight captain, flight training and aviation mechanic, serving 20 years. He then worked for Martin Marietta Corp., Dynatronics, Westinghouse and Anaren Microwave, Inc. as a manufacturing engineer.  He married his wife Carol Gunnip in 1986 and they moved to Villa Grove, Colorado in 1989.  Gene enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, and fishing. It was his life. He was an expert craftsman and builder who continued to work on his many projects up until the last month of his life. His enthusiasm for this observatory project was contagious, thus the Moonrise Project now carries his namesake as well as his handy work. His family and his many friends will miss him dearly as they are reminded of his kind works every day.