Richard Bauer, 81

Richard Edward “Dick” Bauer, age 81, of Berrien Springs, died early Saturday morning, Aug. 20, 2005, at Kephart Cohart Cottage in Berrien Springs.

Richard was born June 17, 1924, in Pittsburgh, Pa., the son of Joseph J. and Mary M. (Pohl) Bauer. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, where he served on the USS Thorn during World War II. On June 18, 1949, he married Esther Maier, and their marriage was blessed with one son.  Richard had many jobs, including a dry cleaning business in earlier years in Berrien Springs.  He also worked at Yale & Towne in Berrien Springs, the Peoples State Bank in St. Joseph, and Continental Can in Three Rivers.

Survivors include one sister, Alberta C. Bauer of Pittsburgh; special brother-in-law, Ronald O. (Jean) Maier and special sister-in-law, Eleanor Maier, all of Berrien Springs; special nieces/great-nieces and great-nephew — Betty Maier, Donna Tober, Deb (Bob) Grossi, Cindy (Eric) WoodBury, Allison, Amanda and Alexis Tober, Hannah and Christian WoodBury; very special friends, Dean (Rose) Mastin; and a host of other in-laws, nieces/great-nieces and nephews/great-nephews, including: Lena Rudowske, Sue (Jim) and Jason and Justin Smith, Hank (Lavern) Maier, Jim (Marian) and Andy and Alex Maier, Mollie Ruf and Rose Ruf.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Esther, on Feb. 17, 1968, and by their son, Richard A. “Rick” Bauer, on Jan. 4, 2003; a sister, Margaret A. Mallinger; and two brothers, Joseph M. Bauer and Roy R. Bauer.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Allred Funeral Home, Berrien Springs, with the Rev. Kenneth Babcock of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Baroda officiating. Friends are invited to call at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. As per Dick’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Burial of ashes in Rose Hill Cemetery will follow the service. Memorial gifts may be made to the church.