Richard Kenneth Bauer

Virginia Beach - Richard Kenneth (Dick) Bauer, born September 21, 1933, in Logan, Ohio, to John Kenneth Bauer and Ruth McManus Bauer, passed away on April 10, 2017, from complications of Alzheimers.

In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his two sons, David John Bauer and Richard Kenneth Bauer, Jr.

When Dick was 9 years old his family moved to Norfolk where his father set up the family business, Eastern Neon, Inc. He graduated from Maury High School in 1952 and attended VPI and ODU before taking over the family business.

He proudly served his country in the U. S. Navy's Air Anti-Submarine Squadron for 2 years and then the Naval Air Reserves for 12 years.

When computer technology began to make a large impact in the business world, he decided to return to college to learn all he could about this new field. He was subsequently hired by the City of Chesapeake as Director of Data Processing, retiring from this position after 32 years. He was a member of the Chesapeake Rotary Club, Data Processing Management Association and the Association for Educational Data Systems.

After retirement he and his wife spent a number of years traveling around the country. He got his pilot's license and surprised his wife, Doris, one year by renting a private plane and flying her to a private island in the Bahamas for their anniversary.

Dick owned 5 different type of boats over the years until he fell in love with a 34 foot sailboat. He and Doris spent many hours sailing, calling the sailboat their second home. Once a year Dick and a group of buddies, who also owned sailboats, would take a sailing trip up the bay to Annapolis. On many Friday evenings in the summer he would sail over to Hampton and join in the sailboat races held there.

Dick's daughter, Terrie, was his greatest pride and joy in life. They had a special bond and were very close through the years. He always said that being a grandfather was one of the great benefits of growing old and he was constantly bragging about his grandchildren. He would get so excited about attending his grandson Austin's baseball games and was the loudest rooter in the stands. He was a big Red Skins fan and loved teasing his "Texas grandson, Ricky", who favored the Dallas Cowboys, and teasing his "Texas granddaughter, Angie" about her heavy Texas accent.

He loved football, playing bridge and enjoyed working with his hands. He was always involved in a project, either repairing something or remodeling, in his home or his daughter's home.

When Dick was diagnosed with early onset of Alzheimers, he decided to be an organ donor for the Veterans Affairs Biorepository Alzheimers Brain Bank, hoping that this would in some way help others with this disease.

Dick will always be remembered for the strong example he set of humility, kindness and faith, and his memory will endure as a man of integrity, respect and great love for his family.

Left to cherish Dick's memory are his loving wife, Doris Jones Bauer; daughter, Teresa Diane Bauer, husband, Duncan Erb, of Virginia Beach, Va.; grandson, Austin Richard Erb, wife, Leslie, of Norfolk, Va.; grandson, Richard Kenneth Bauer, III, wife, Sanddrick , of McKinney, Texas ; granddaughter, Angela Christine Bauer, of Wichita Falls, Texas; and two great-grandsons, Richard Kenneth Bauer, IV, and Codi Lane Bauer.

The family would like to thank The Memory Center and Hospice for the superior and loving care given to Dick during the last days of his life. Special thanks are also given to Jackie, Elizabeth, Christina and Sheryl, who went out of their way to make Dick feel comfortable, happy and loved.

A Service of Thanksgiving and Resurrection will be held on Saturday, April 29th, at 11:00 a.m. at

Francis Asbury United Methodist Church, 1871 North Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia,

conducted by Rev. Edward S. Martin , Jr. A reception will immediately follow the service in the Social Hall of the Church. .

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to The Alzheimer's Association, 6350 North Center Drive, Norfolk, Va., 23502.