Joseph Evon Ausich

Former retired Moscow Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Joseph Ausich passed away Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Tacoma, Washington. He was 85.

Joseph Evon Ausich was born November 11, 1938, to Joseph and Lois Ausich in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He grew up in Mackay, Idaho where he graduated from high school in 1957. He attended Idaho State University and the University of Idaho and received his B.S and D.D.S. from the University of Minnesota in 1963 and joined the U.S. Air Force Dental Branch. In 1971 he received his M.S. from the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston, Texas. His hospital residency was served at Hines Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He retired from his 20-year Air Force career with the rank of Colonel and as Director of the General Practice Residency and Chief of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.

Joe met his wife Barbara while a student at the University of Minnesota. They married in 1965 and lived in Tacoma, Houston, Chicago, Anchorage, and Bossier City, Louisiana. Knowing he wanted to return to Idaho following his military retirement, Joe took a risk and set up his practice in Moscow in 1983 where he was the first Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon in town. He successfully grew his practice for the next 18 years. In 2014, Joe and Barbara moved to Gig Harbor, Washington. When failing health prevented him from enjoying his favorite activities of hunting, fishing, golf, and travel, he enjoyed raising Mason bees, growing tomatoes, and reading World War II history. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Barbara, their son Michael, and his wife Farrah of Bainbridge Island, Washington, a granddaughter Elina, and his sister Mariann of Las Vegas, Nevada. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Stephanie. There will be a public graveside service at the Moscow Cemetery on Thursday, July 18 at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow at the U of I Pittman Center in the Vandal Ballroom.