Deacon Robert Albert "Bob" Bauer

1932 - 2025

Bauer, Deacon Robert Albert "Bob"

April 17, 1932 - March 28, 2025

Of Amherst, NY passed away at Buffalo VA Medical Center after a short illness. He is survived by Rosemary Bowhers Bauer, his beloved wife of almost 63 years; daughters Marie (late Peter) Evans and Susan (Roberto) Rubio; son Robert J. (Colleen) Bauer; grandsons Paul and Edward "Ted" (Gabriella "Gabi" Cilento) Evans, Hunter and Jonathan "Jon" Bauer; and brother Edward Bauer. He was 92, so he was predeceased by everyone else. Bob had many roles in his life. He was a devoted son, brother, and uncle; alumnus of Canisius High School and Bryant & Stratton; Army veteran (Korea); insurance auditor; dedicated husband and caretaker; father who loved each of his children the best; engaging storyteller (specializing in tall tales); Deacon for 40 years at various local parishes and as NYS Chaplain for JN Adam Developmental Center and group homes. A lifelong Catholic, Bob lived his faith through service, as an active volunteer (to orphaned teens, the developmentally disabled, poor or homeless, prisoners, refugees, and seniors) and as an ordained permanent deacon. He attended seminary in one of the first cohorts in the Buffalo Diocese. As a final act of giving, Bob donated his body to UB's Anatomical Gift Program. Bob loved life and was the consummate extrovert. If there was audience participation at an event, he was always picked. He instigated inner-tubing on the Niagara River, sledding and tobogganing on dangerous hills, giving unpaid tours of Niagara Falls to strangers he met on the Seneca Niagara Casino shuttle bus, and hiking in the Niagara Gorge. He relished sunshine (whether in a pool, on his deck, or in a convertible). Favorite destinations were Shakespeare in Delaware Park, Artpark, and Disney World. He was a roller coaster junkie, who marked riding the Crystal Beach Comet 50 times in a row (25 forward and 25 backward) as one of his life accomplishments. He loved cards (Pinochle, Solitaire, and "65") and board games. He was a known Yahtzee hustler. He also loved to eat--whether it was a buffet or fine dining, he did not discriminate. He was especially fond of Limburger cheese and onion sandwiches. Bob loved dancing and dressing up. He enjoyed Knights of Columbus galas, costume parties, and wearing his tuxedos on cruise ship formal nights. He decorated lavishly for the holidays and was known for his elaborate, home-consuming Christmas nativity scene, which featured multiple towns and over 100 characters, not to mention circuit-breaker-tripping numbers of lights and fire-hazard amounts of candles. The family will host a Memorial Service on Saturday, May 31 at 11:00 a.m. at Banchetti by Rizzo's, 550 North French Road in Amherst. Flowers gratefully declined. You may best honor Deacon Bob's memory with an act of service, a donation to a human service nonprofit, or by reaching out to someone who may be lonely or forgotten. Contact the family if you'd like to know Bob's favorite charities.