BAUER, Robert Carl (Brown) 1927-2012

BAUER, MILLER, BROWN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 6/13/2012 at 14:38:12

BURIAL AT NORA SPRINGS

Robert Carl "Bob" Bauer

ANKENY, IOWA - Robert Carl "Bob" Bauer, 85, went to be with the Lord on June 10, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.

His body has been cremated and a visitation will be 5-8 p.m., Friday, June 15, at Ankeny Funeral Home, 1510 W. First St., Ankeny. A celebration of life will be 3 p.m., Saturday, June 16, at Grace Church, 4200 E. 25th St., Des Moines, with interment of cremated remains at a later date in Nora Springs.

Bob was born on February 22, 1927, in Mason City, to Carl "Steve" Brown and Wilma Bauer Brown. After the death of his biological mother when Bob was only three years of age, his grandmother Gertrude Bauer, adopted him.

On June 6, 1948, Bob married Eleanor Louise Miller and to this union were born five children; Keith, Gary, Darrell, Rebecca, and Roberta.

Bob attended Mason City schools and graduated from Mason City High School in 1945. He was active in Scouting and was a past cubmaster and explorer post leader of the Boy Scouts of America.

He was involved in home construction and remodeling in the North Iowa area, until he relocated to Ankeny in 1974 where he specialized in drying up wet basements. He never really retired as he continued to operate his basement water containment business up until the time of his death.

Bob was active in mission trips, which took him to The Philippines, Nicaragua, Peru, frequently to Mexico and made many trips to the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Indian Reservations taking with him bicycles, clothing and building supplies. He was always constructing something for someone.

In 2003, Bob received the Heartland For Heroes award recognizing his mission work. Bob loved the outdoors, camping, boating, and canoeing. He included his grandchildren on many of his campouts teaching them to canoe and fish.

Bob is survived by his wife, Eleanor of Ankeny; sons Keith Bauer and wife Nancy of Clear Lake, and Gary Bauer and wife Cathy of Clear Lake; daughters Rebecca Michalowski of Ankeny, and Roberta Bauer of Atkins; brother Russell Bauer and wife Shirley of Ottumwa; two nieces and three nephews; 17 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren; special "adopted" daughter Nohemi "Mimi" Lopez and her husband Paco Lopez and four sons of Des Moines.

Bob was preceded in death by his birth parents, his mother/grandmother Gertrude Bauer, and one son Darrell.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

[Mason City Globe Gazette website, June 13, 2012]