Obituary for August Edward "Gus" Dankert
August Edward “Gus” Dankert, 65, of Eldersburg, MD passed away unexpectedly on April 27, 2023 from recently discovered cancer.
He was predeceased by his father, Herbert C. Dankert, in 1988 and by his mother, Joan A. Dankert, in 2022. He is survived by younger brother Timothy Dankert and wife Karen, younger sister Linda Brown and husband Brad, nephew Stephen Dankert and wife Devon, niece Katie Couch and husband Jonathan, and great-nephew Elijah Dankert. Also surviving are cousins Suzanne Holland and Karl Grzena of Cortland, OH; aunt and uncle Dorothy and Jim Enzinger of Glenview, IL; and cousins Paul and Kurt Enzinger, also of Glenview.
He leaves behind a multitude of friends whose lives he has touched with his kind and generous heart and uplifting spirit.
Gus was born on March 23, 1958 in Baltimore, MD. His father’s job with B&O Railroad (later CSX) took the family to homes in Proctorville, OH and Pittsburgh, PA before they eventually settled in Eldersburg in 1975 in the home where Gus lived the rest of his life. He graduated from South Carroll High School in 1977. His love of technology and knack for computers led him initially into jobs in those fields. He later turned to security work, including employment as a security guard at Random House Publishing in Westminster, MD. In recent years, he was employed by Diversified Protection Corporation as an armed security guard for the US Department of Agriculture in Beltsville, MD.
Anyone who met Gus knew within a few minutes that he loved music. If music was playing, Gus was singing. If you said something that reminded him of a song lyric, he would break into song without skipping a beat. On his last day on this earth, he jokingly sang “Build Me Up Buttercup” to his nurse. It is no surprise that his favorite pastime was singing karaoke and that many of his closest friends were fellow karaoke devotees who gathered at multiple venues every week to make music together. He also sought out local bands and live music venues where he could let loose on the dance floor with his own distinctive style. Besides his love for music, Gus was also a gifted artist, specializing in charcoal and pastel drawings. He also enjoyed attending NHRA drag races with his brother and cousin. Wherever he went, he could be counted on to capture the moment in photographs and videos for sharing, making his memories our memories too.
Gus was a beloved uncle to Stephen and Katie as they were growing up, never missing their sporting events, school programs, or milestone celebrations. He had a soft spot for furry friends, as well, sharing his home over the years with numerous dogs, occasional cats, and even a stray cockatiel that he rescued.
Those of us left behind take comfort in knowing that Gus is now with his savior Jesus in heaven where he has no more pain or worry, but where he can sing all day every day, forever and ever.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor can be made to Awana youth ministry, where Gus served for many years, at www.awana.org/donate. Alternatively, donations can be made to Metro Ferals, a non-profit cat rescue and pet clinic that both Gus and his mother, Joan Dankert, supported over the years. Checks can be mailed to Metro Ferals at 5718 Ridge Rd. Mount Airy, MD 21771. Please reference "In memory of Gus Dankert" in the memo line.
The family will be receiving friends Friday, May 12, 2023 from 6 to 8 PM and Saturday, May 13 from 10 to 11 AM at Burrier-Queen Funeral Home and Crematory, P.A., 1212 W. Old Liberty Rd., Sykesville, MD. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, May 13 at 11 AM followed by a luncheon in the multi-purpose room.
Online condolences at www.Burrier-Queen.com.
He was predeceased by his father, Herbert C. Dankert, in 1988 and by his mother, Joan A. Dankert, in 2022. He is survived by younger brother Timothy Dankert and wife Karen, younger sister Linda Brown and husband Brad, nephew Stephen Dankert and wife Devon, niece Katie Couch and husband Jonathan, and great-nephew Elijah Dankert. Also surviving are cousins Suzanne Holland and Karl Grzena of Cortland, OH; aunt and uncle Dorothy and Jim Enzinger of Glenview, IL; and cousins Paul and Kurt Enzinger, also of Glenview.
He leaves behind a multitude of friends whose lives he has touched with his kind and generous heart and uplifting spirit.
Gus was born on March 23, 1958 in Baltimore, MD. His father’s job with B&O Railroad (later CSX) took the family to homes in Proctorville, OH and Pittsburgh, PA before they eventually settled in Eldersburg in 1975 in the home where Gus lived the rest of his life. He graduated from South Carroll High School in 1977. His love of technology and knack for computers led him initially into jobs in those fields. He later turned to security work, including employment as a security guard at Random House Publishing in Westminster, MD. In recent years, he was employed by Diversified Protection Corporation as an armed security guard for the US Department of Agriculture in Beltsville, MD.
Anyone who met Gus knew within a few minutes that he loved music. If music was playing, Gus was singing. If you said something that reminded him of a song lyric, he would break into song without skipping a beat. On his last day on this earth, he jokingly sang “Build Me Up Buttercup” to his nurse. It is no surprise that his favorite pastime was singing karaoke and that many of his closest friends were fellow karaoke devotees who gathered at multiple venues every week to make music together. He also sought out local bands and live music venues where he could let loose on the dance floor with his own distinctive style. Besides his love for music, Gus was also a gifted artist, specializing in charcoal and pastel drawings. He also enjoyed attending NHRA drag races with his brother and cousin. Wherever he went, he could be counted on to capture the moment in photographs and videos for sharing, making his memories our memories too.
Gus was a beloved uncle to Stephen and Katie as they were growing up, never missing their sporting events, school programs, or milestone celebrations. He had a soft spot for furry friends, as well, sharing his home over the years with numerous dogs, occasional cats, and even a stray cockatiel that he rescued.
Those of us left behind take comfort in knowing that Gus is now with his savior Jesus in heaven where he has no more pain or worry, but where he can sing all day every day, forever and ever.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor can be made to Awana youth ministry, where Gus served for many years, at www.awana.org/donate. Alternatively, donations can be made to Metro Ferals, a non-profit cat rescue and pet clinic that both Gus and his mother, Joan Dankert, supported over the years. Checks can be mailed to Metro Ferals at 5718 Ridge Rd. Mount Airy, MD 21771. Please reference "In memory of Gus Dankert" in the memo line.
The family will be receiving friends Friday, May 12, 2023 from 6 to 8 PM and Saturday, May 13 from 10 to 11 AM at Burrier-Queen Funeral Home and Crematory, P.A., 1212 W. Old Liberty Rd., Sykesville, MD. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, May 13 at 11 AM followed by a luncheon in the multi-purpose room.
Online condolences at www.Burrier-Queen.com.