Robert “Bob” Bauer, 79
Robert (Bob) William Bauer passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at the age of 79, at home surrounded by his loving wife and children after a brief battle with cancer.
Bob was born Sept. 17, 1944 in Pine City, Minn., to parents John and Loretta (Kunesh) Bauer – the youngest of five children. Bob attended Pine City schools and participated in many school activities including band and football. He graduated in 1962 and went to the University of Minnesota and majored in music education and participated in the U of M marching band until he was unable to continue to afford his education and joined the workforce. At that same time, in March 1966, he enlisted in the 451st Army Band and attended basic training in Fort Knox, Ky. In 1968, he left the workforce and attended St. Cloud State University but had to drop out again due lack of funds. In the workforce, Bob was skilled in purchasing and supply management for several companies over many decades. In 1994, he finally finished his college degree when he received his degree from Metropolitan State University – reaching a goal he set decades prior.
Bob married Coralee Bauer in 1970 and they moved to South Haven, Minn., in 1975 and raised their three children, Stacy, Jeff and Jessie. He loved farming, hunting and being outdoors with his family. In 1994, he and Coralee divorced and he moved to Northfield, Minn. It was there he met the love of his life, Deborah. They were married on June 24, 2000 in a wonderful ceremony at their home. Together, they built a beautiful life in Northfield and also traveled with their motorhome or camper and enjoyed the great outdoors with their dogs and family.
Bob loved music and playing the tuba, and was honorably a member of the 451st Army Band for 28 years before his retirement in 1994 as a Staff Sergeant. He was also incredibly skilled with woodworking and home building.
Bob was deeply devoted to his family. He loved hunting especially with his brothers and his daughter and son. Nothing brought a smile to his face like attending Bauer family gatherings and sharing jokes with his brothers and sister and their families. He also loved watching his grandchildren perform during their band concerts and band competitions – often being the first person at events to get the best seat.
Bob is survived by his wife, Deborah of Northfield, Minn.; children, Stacy (Dave) Jones of Brandon, Jeffrey (Robbin) Bauer of South Haven, Minn., Jessie (Rob) Boe of Becker, Minn., and stepson, Adam (Kelly) Andreasen of Henderson, Nev.; as well as loving grandchildren, Colby and Karlee Jones, Zach, Belle, Hayden and Gavin Bauer, and Tristan and Caidance Boe, and also step-grandchildren, Aidan and Connor Hobson. He is also survived by his close siblings, Jack Bauer, Jim Bauer, Frank (Mary) Bauer and Mary Bauer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Loretta and John Bauer, stepfather Walter Johnson, stepson Ben Andreasen, brother-in-law Dick Staudinger, sister-in-law Sharon Bauer and brother-in-law Tim Fredericksen.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 1-4 p.m. at the Grand Event Center, 316 Washington St. in Northfield. Per his request, we will be celebrating his life by sharing stories, laughing and enjoying a good beer, and no one will be singing Amazing Grace. A private family interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery will be on Monday, Dec. 18.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bob’s memory to Deb Bauer in Northfield, Minn. Any memorials will be divided among his various interests in music, the great outdoors and the military.
