Dance therapist, artist
Former longtime Claremont resident Audrey Lauterbach died in San Diego at the age of 84 on February 29, 2008. Ms. Lauterbach had moved to San Diego approximately 5 years ago after spending many years in Claremont.
Born to Edwin and Marie (Sturm) Halverson on July 28, 1923 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ms. Lauterbach moved with her family to southern California at a young age. She spent most of her formative years in Lynwood, moving to Claremont in 1950 after marrying Dr. Walter Lauterbach in 1949. They had met each other at a naval dance.
When her husband was offered a civilian job in school psychology in Karlsruhe, Germany, the Lauterbachs—including their 4 children—moved overseas from 1967 to 1970, returning to Claremont after 3 years. Continuing what she had started while in Claremont, Ms. Lauterbach maintained and expanded her involvement with an innovative dance therapy program for children and individuals with disabilities. This form of expressive therapy enables people to experiment with different ways of using their bodies, encouraging them toward emotional release.
“To Audrey, dance was a form of expression that gave meaning to life,” her family wrote in a remembrance.
What began as a passionate volunteer endeavor eventually turned into somewhat of a career. While in Germany, Ms. Lauterbach was hired as a dance and movement therapist at a school.
For the last 25 years of her life, Ms. Lauterbach devoted herself to art, creating a diversity of works through decoupage, collage and papermaking.
“She had a well-developed aesthetic and an unerring eye for color and beauty,” shared the family.
Ms. Lauterbach is survived by her former husband, Dr. Walter Lauterbach of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; by her daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Edwin Dickey of Columbia, South Carolina; by her daughter, Karen Lauterbach of San Diego; by her son and daughter-in-law, Peter Lauterbach and Barbara Caliri of La Mesa; by her son, Joel Lauterbach of San Diego; by her brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Peggy Halverson of Placentia; by her brother, David Halverson of Palos Verdes Peninsula; by her sister, Muriel Halverson of Hesperia; by her grandchildren, Isabel and Ry Dickey, Fern Compton and her husband Rob, and Dacey Even; and by her great-grandchildren, Rain, Sky, Sage, Trinity, Ember and Soul Compton.
Memorial services were held in San Diego.
