Frederick W Bauer

Dec 12, 1930 - May 26, 2019

In the early hours of May 26, 2019, Frederick Wilhelm Bauer passed away, leaving behind a dozen assorted fedoras, a devoted Sheltie-mix, and a host of friends and family who will celebrate a life that was lived well and on his own terms. Fred’s adventures began in Chicago on December 12, 1930. He was the only child of German immigrants, Otto (Willy) and Wilhelmine Bauer, who acquainted him with the beautiful wilderness that was Scottsdale, Arizona when Fred was still a teenager. Fred’s yearning for a career in architecture was suspended during his service in the Korean War as a US Navy seaman stationed in Japan. After receiving his degree from Chicago Techical College, Fred worked for Wonder Building Corporation, a distributor of patented trussless metal structures. Ever the contrarian, Fred moved to Arizona in 1959, starting his own business manufacturing trusses and glulam beams that were installed in churches and other buildings that he considered more wonderful (and more durable). Fred eventually escaped the heat and relocated to Eugene, Oregon, the home base for his world travels as a sales director for Rosboro Lumber. A DIY jack-of-all-trades, Fred personally remodeled at least four of his own homes, down to the hand-painted cherub on the ceiling above his tub, whose face bore a striking resemblance to its artist. Fred was devoted to the three special women in his life: Irma Bauer, the mother of his three children; Judy Bauer, who shared his years in Houston, Eugene and Jacksonville; and Shirley Burke, the patient companion for the rest of his life in Phoenix. Fred is survived by his daughters, Linda West, Marie Stanley, and Fredda Bauer; as well as his grandchildren, Alexandria Darrow, Christopher Stanley, Charlotte West, Elizabeth Dixon, Amy Stanley, James McNaney and Emma Stanley. He was predeceased by his parents, two St. Bernards, a Maltese-mix and a most unfortunate Easter chick. Fred’s friends and family will be sharing special memories on June 15. He will be interred in Genoa City, Wisconsin.