Dr. August "Gus" Joseph Weidner , 76, passed away on October 21, 2023 at his home in Souderton, Pennsylvania, surrounded by his wife and three children.  Gus was the son of the late August Sigfreid Weidner and the late Grace Hope Weidner.  He was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA and graduated from St. Nicholas High School in 1964. He graduated magna cum laude from King's College, Wilkes-Barre, PA in 1968 with a B.S. degree in Mathematics.

He was drafted into the Army in 1968 and spent 14 months in Vietnam, first as a rifleman, then ammo bearer, machine gunner, radio operator, and finally company clerk. Among his awards are the Bronze Star medal for service, the Army Commendation medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Vietnam Service medal with one silver star, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation (3rd award), the Valorous Unit Award, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Upon his return from Vietnam he attended graduate school at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN. It was there that he met his wife of 49 years, Rose Lavetsky Weidner. He earned a PhD there in 1974 in Mathematics and shortly after married Rose, 'the sweetest flower he knew'. He taught Mathematics at Notre Dame for one year as a Visiting Assistant Professor. He was then an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Penn State University for five years, first at the Reading campus and then at the Schuylkill Haven campus.

In 1980 he joined the National Security Agency as a Cryptologic Mathematician. He worked there for 35 years with the last 15 years at the Defense Intelligence Senior Level. Among his numerous awards was the Presidential Rank award, the Director's Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Senior Career Employee, the Patriot Award, the Crypto-Mathematics Institute President's award, the Sir Peter Mary church Award for Cryptanalytic Excellence team award, two Gold Bug team awards, and four literary awards for technical papers. Upon his retirement he was selected as a Distinguished Member of two of the Agency's Learned Organizations: the Crypto-Mathematics Institute and the Kryptos Institute.  Because of the secrecy of this work, there were no public praises or accolades upon receipt of these awards.  But Gus didn't need that.  He was always humble and modest, never looking for praise or recognition.

While he always had pride about his significant work, it was his family who he ultimately boasted about.  From his two daughters, Amanda and Sarah, who followed in his footsteps and attended the University of Notre Dame, to his son, Austin, who is an airline pilot, to his 9 grandchildren with each and every one of them holding a special place in his heart, Gus was a family man.  And most importantly, Rose, his wife, the sweetest flower he knew, proudly standing by his side through it all.

When he wasn't busy solving the most intricate of problems, or attending his grandchildren's events, you could find Gus watching the LA Dodgers and Notre Dame football, fishing with his family members, or going on beer trips with his buddies.

Gus is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Rose Weidner; his three children and their spouses, Amanda and Rob Coffeen (and their three children, Grace, Parker, and Rosie) of White Hall, MD; Austin and Aimee Weidner (and their three children, Trevor, Whitney, and Madison) of Hellertown, PA; and Sarah and Andrew Hansen (and their three children, Murphy, Ollie, and Natthakon) of Hatfield, PA.  He is also survived by his sisters, Joan Rish and Patricia Weidner, along with numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his brother, William Weidner, and sister, Ruth Lawlor.

Honoring Gus's wishes, his family will hold a Celebration of Life event in his honor in the near future.  In lieu of flowers, Gus has requested that donations be made in his name to Sturgis Fishing Club, where he was a proud member, and spent many weekends 'wetting a line' and making memories with his family.  Situated on sacred and protected land, your donation will go towards the preservation of this most special place of Gus's.  Please make checks payable to Rose Weidner (391 Brittany Court, Souderton, PA 18964) or Venmo @Rose-Weidner-1, and she will present the donations to the Club.  Personalized notes with your memories of Gus are welcomed.