Erwin L. KaufmannRacine- Erwin L. Kaufmann, 87, passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare. He was born January 1, 1921, in Sheboygan Falls to Arthur and Frieda (Rautmann) Kaufmann. He was united in marriage on September 14, 1946, to Esther Kennedy who preceded him in death.He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in journalism and from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a Masters of Business Administration.Erwin served Active Duty in the Naval Reserve amphibious force from June 1943 to September 1946. He was the Officer in Charge of the US LCT(A) 2124 which landed at Omaha Beach, Normandy, on D-Day. He later was the executive officer and then the commanding officer of the USS LSM 392 in the Pacific. He retired as Lieutenant Commander-USNR (Ret.)He was a member of ROA and the Eagle's Nest, and Newsletter editor for Milwaukee TROA (now called MOAA.) He was active in the LCT Flotillas of World War II and the USS LSM-LSMR Association.He was a territory sales manager with Procter and Gamble for over 30 years. Erv was an active participant in civic affairs. One of the recipients of The Journal Times Awards for 2001, he was a longtime member of the Racine Taxpayers Association and school board liaison. The award described him as 'a diligent advocate for improvement in public education and for intelligent spending of public funds by the school district.As a member of the middle school study commission Kaufmann visited more middle schools in the state than any other commission member.' He was also involved in Preservation Racine and the Optimist Club. He was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. He and Esther enjoyed travel, seeing much of the United States, England, Scotland and Italy. After her death, he revisited Normandy around the 50th anniversary of D-Day. In recent years he attended numerous LCT and LSM reunions.Survivors include his son Tom and daughter Susan (John) Paulos; grandchildren James, Christopher and Sarah; and sisters Evelyn (Harold) Depping and Vernita (Elmer) Gessert.Funeral services for Erv will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park Chapel on Friday, March 14, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.