Robert Clarence Auten was born on August 29, 1945, in Bloomsburg, PA to Jeanne and Clarence Auten. He grew up in New Hyde Park, Long Island, and Bernardsville, NJ. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he served four years in the US Air Force with one year in Vietnam.
After an active professional life in real estate and chemical equipment sales, he purchased Borla East in 1983, which manufactured specialty exhaust systems often found on the “Best of Show” winners at the Pebble Beach and Meadowbrook Concours. He turned his passion for cars and automobilia into an auction business in 1988. Attending his yearly automobilia auctions at the Hotel Hershey in the ’80s and ’90s was a must-do for automotive enthusiasts. Through his agency Auto Art, he represented European and American automotive artists at events around the U.S. When he wasn’t being a wheeler-dealer, his favorite activity was speeding in his go-kart, SCCA racer, or his Buick Roadmaster with his kids in tow to Blues Brothers tunes.
After retiring in 2004, he moved from Gladstone, NJ to Marco Island, FL. Playing golf and hunting on eBay became his passions. He served on the RMP 1 Board for several years and the Hideaway Board of Directors for two terms.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Catherine, and three children: Robert (Alaa AlShroogi) of Dubai, UAE, Catherine (William Krause) of Boston, MA, Jonathan (Elizabeth Silva) of Somerset, NJ. He was known to his three grandchildren, Clarence, Adele, and William Scott Krause, and good friends as “Bobbo.”
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, by mail to 34 Washington Street, Suite 310, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481, or on-line through the donate link below.