10/15/2021

Obituary for August K. "Chip" Graumlich, III

Brother of Andrea Graumlich, Leigh Graumlich, and Jeffrey Graumlich, all of Graumlich Funeral Home

August K. (Chip) Graumlich, III, age 58, died October 13, 2021, in Richmond, Virginia, where he resided for more than 30 years. Chip graduated from Thomas Worthington High School in 1981, and Ohio University in 1986. 

Chip was a lifelong sports enthusiast and sports trivia buff. While still in high school, at his mother’s urging, Chip won a contest to be a Bat Boy for the New York Yankees AAA farm team, the Columbus Clippers. He later admitted that his mother helped write the essay. He worked as a Bat Boy for one season and then the Manager asked him to help run the scoreboard and work in the press box for two seasons. During those years, Chip was honored to have met some of the best-known Yankees players, coaches and managers and to have been the bat boy for many players who went on to enjoy major league careers. A consummate storyteller with an amazing memory for detail, Chip could recount his experiences with humor, often telling tales that should not be in print!

Later in life, Chip continued his passion for golf and for watching college football. While an OU graduate, Chip quickly converted to becoming a Georgia Bulldog when his daughter, Lizzie, enrolled in the University of Georgia in the fall of 2015. He loved attending Georgia home games and, when the team did well, the SEC championship game.

Chip began working with his father in the family business, Graumlich Funeral Home, in high school and continued in the industry after college, working as a sales representative for Aurora Casket Company. He chose the Virginia territory and moved to Richmond in 1988. He later worked for The York Group serving numerous funeral homes and funeral directors throughout Virginia. In 2003, Chip moved in a different direction and founded Foresight Care Planning LLC, where he served as owner and president. There, he was devoted to ensuring that his clients made the best long-term planning decisions for them and their families.

Shortly after moving to Richmond, Chip began attending Reveille United Methodist Church, where he met his wife, Betty. He was a loving and devoted husband and father and was an avid fan at Lizzie’s track meets and field hockey games. Chip remained close to family and was always there for his brother and sisters.

Chip is preceded in death by his parents, August K. II and Shirley P. Graumlich; father-in-law, Forrest Wommack; sister-in-law, Susie Wommack; uncles, Carl Bader and Tony Baker. Chip is survived by his wife, Betty Graumlich of Richmond, Virginia, and their daughter, Elizabeth Graumlich of Atlanta, Georgia; brother and sister-in-law, Jeffrey and Judy Graumlich of Dublin, Ohio; identical twin sisters, Andrea Graumlich and her husband, Korey Brown of Powell, Ohio, and Leigh Graumlich of Powell, Ohio; mother-in-law, Jane Wommack of Suffolk, Virginia; nieces, Lainy Reynolds of Powell, Ohio and Jane Wommack of Orlando; nephew, Carter Wommack of Raleigh; brothers-in-law, Rich Reynolds of Powell, Ohio, and Clay Wommack of Florida; aunt, Camilla Baker; cousins, Chris (Jill) Bader, Erik Bader, and Kurt Bader.

Family will receive friends, Monday, October 18, 2021, from 5 to 7 p.m. at BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 3215 Cutshaw Ave., Richmond, VA 23230. Funeral Service will be held in Richmond, Virginia, on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. at Reveille United Methodist Church, 4200 Cary St., Richmond, Virginia, with Lead Pastor Peter Moon officiating. The family will welcome friends following the funeral for a celebration of Chip’s life at Willow Oaks Country Club, 6228 Forest Hill Ave, Richmond, VA  23225.

Graveside service and burial next to his parents will be held, Friday, October 22, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Cemetery, 6440 S. High St., Lockbourne, OH, with Pastor Floyd L. Stolzenburg officiating.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests contributions be directed to a charity of your choice in memory of Chip.  Arrangements in Columbus by GRAUMLICH FUNERAL HOME. To leave an online condolence for Chip's family and to sign his register book please visit www.graumlichfuneralhome.com