Robert Edward Bauer, 85, of Winnie, died Wednesday, November 6, 2013, at The Arboretum of Winnie. He was born on June 1, 1928, in Jefferson County, to Ruby Louise Gaus Bauer and George Richard Bauer. Robert was brought to Jesus in Holy Baptism in 1928 at St. John Lutheran Church in Hamshire, Texas. He publicly affirmed his faith in the Rite of Confirmation in 1943 at St. John Lutheran Church in Beaumont, Texas. Robert was married to Mary Heiner at St. John’s in Beaumont on June 26, 1949. He and Mary, along with other area Lutherans, helped establish Hope Lutheran Church in Winnie, Texas. He loved to teach adult Bible class and Sunday school. He was a prayerful and generous supporter of many Christian ministries and Christian educational institutions.
Mr. Bauer was a cattle rancher and farmed rice in the area for many years.
Mr. Bauer was involved in many organizations within the community. He served on the Board of Regents, at Concordia Lutheran College in Austin. He established an endowed professorship in religion at Concordia, as well as a music scholarship in memory of his daughter, Marilyn. He was a representative of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund; President of the Texas Rice Improvement Association for twenty five years; Hardin Jefferson Independent School District School Board, President; Coastal Cattle Association Board of Directors, President; Gulf Coast Bank Board of Directors; East Chambers Agricultural Historical Society, President; ASC Board of Directors; Vice President of Southeast Bancorp of Texas, Inc.; Director of American Rice Growers, Beaumont Division; and LCMS Foundation Board Alternate.
His many honors include Concordia Lutheran College Christo et Ecclesiae Award of Excellence; Concordia University Christo et Ecclesiae Award of Excellence; Texas Rice Festival Honoree; Texas Rice Festival Pioneer Farmer of the Year; FFA Honorary Chapter Farmer and Honorary State Farmer; Friend of Texas A&M Agriculture; Winnie Area Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Award.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Heiner Bauer of Winnie; son, Jack Bauer and his wife, Christie, of Winnie; daughters, Carol Walther and her husband, The Reverend Michael Walther of Maryville, Illinois; Janet Taylor and her husband, Tim Taylor, of Houston; and Linda Bauer of Austin; grandchildren, Gerald Bauer, Sherri George, Jennifer Abshire, Brandon Erickson, Katherine Dube, Emily Penney, Jonathan Erickson, Aaron Walther, David Walther, Paul Walther, Stephen Walther, Lydia Walther, Travis Taylor, Everett Taylor, and Grant Taylor; nineteen great-grandchildren.
Mr. Bauer was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Marilyn Erickson; and brothers, Orland Bauer and Leroy Bauer.
A gathering of Mr. Bauer’s family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 8, 2013, at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. His funeral will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 9, 2013, at Hope Lutheran Church, 9th and Leblanc Street, Winnie, with interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to one of the following: Hope Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 701, Winnie, Texas 77665; East Chambers Agricultural Historical Society, (Ag Museum), P.O. Box 1715, Winnie, Texas 77665; or to Concordia University Texas, 11400 Concordia University Drive, Austin, Texas 78726.
