Johann Franz Szautner, 80, of Bethlehem, died Jan. 18, 2025, at Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem. Born in Vienna, Austria, he was a son of the late Johann Szautner IV and Anna Maria (Schneck) and a naturalized U.S. citizen. He was the husband of Kathleen A. (Marshang) Szautner for 57 years. They moved to the U.S. in 1972.

He earned an advanced engineering degree from the Technical University of Vienna, Austria. After emigrating from Austria, he earned professional engineering licenses in eight states.

He was a civil engineer. In Austria, his work included the design of the Autobahn link between Austria and Italy. In the U.S., he worked for Cowan Associates, Quakertown. He was a municipal engineer on infrastructure projects. In 1982, he became a partner and shareholder of Cowan; was a vice president for Business Development, an executive vice president and, in 2004, president. He retired from Cowan in 2008.

He was a state director of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers and a vice chairman of the Pennsylvania Engineers in Private Practice. He was a president of the Lehigh Valley chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers and was the 2006 Engineer of the Year and the Truman Yeager Award winner for outstanding service. He was a member of Lehigh Valley Toastmasters for 10 years. He provided forensic engineering services to the insurance industry and legal profession until 2020.

He was a member of Saints Simon and Jude Church, Bethlehem.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Tanja (Matthew) Vaneman of Perkasie; a son, Christian (Michelle) Szautner of Ambler; and four grandchildren, Zachary, Joshua, Mikaela and Andreas.

He was predeceased by a sister, Anita Schigert.

Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.com

Arrangements were made by Connell Funeral Home Inc., Bethlehem.