Fred Bauer

Frederick Bryon "Fred" Bauer, 67, of Beaufort, SC, and formerly of Monrovia, passed peacefully from this life in the morning hours of Friday, February 20, 2026, with his beloved wife and son by his bedside. He was born on July 14, 1958, the fifth of six sons, in Indianapolis, to the late Robert Eugene, Sr. and Verlyne Matilda "Tilly" (Bennett) Bauer.

Originally living in Indianapolis, Fred's family purchased property on Gasburg Rd, escaping the hustle and bustle of the city, for the rural life of Morgan County. He and his brothers were a tight knit bunch that spent their days running amuck, exploring the woods, and truly just enjoying nature. They raised chickens and owned a pony named Pepsi. He was a proud graduate with the class of 1976 from Monrovia High School, and one of the original long-haired hippies of the 70's. In his teenage years, he and his buddies were quite the hell raisers who liked hanging out on the old Methodist Church steps, drinking beer, playing backgammon, tormenting the cops, and running the streets.

After graduation, Fred joined the Local 120 Laborer's Union. Later moving to South Carolina where he met his future wife, Annette Stanley. The two ran into each other at a local watering hole and after a brief courtship were married in the mountains on October 1, 1984. The newlyweds packed their bags a short time later, moving to Arkansas, where Fred switched career gears, entering the field of plumbing while working for Hession; a field he would commit to for the rest of his life. While there, Fred and Annette completed their family of three with the birth of Bryan. Moving around a bit, they settled back in Beaufort, purchasing their forever home in 1996. Fred worked with several different companies over the years, including with Pender Brothers, where he deservingly retired in 2024.

In his younger years, Fred was somewhat of a risk taker. He was known to sky dive, scuba dive, and ride fast and reckless on his motorcycle. He and his family enjoyed trips to the Mountains and Indiana to hunt the ever elusive, yet coveted, morel mushroom, and occasionally visited the beach. The father son duo went fishing and shrimping, and Fred taught him the art of cutting down trees. While he wasn't one to instruct his son traditionally, he taught Bryan through observance. Fun loving and living large, he grew grapes, making a yearly batch of wine that you drank at your own risk. He liked hosting cookouts, where he grilled and smoked delicious meats. A great hunter, he set up a tree house on his property, and he yearly scored an unsuspecting deer, which he cleaned and processed.

A craftsman and self-made carpenter, Fred was talented at construction, however, he was definitely not an electrician. He not only wired his house backwards, he once installed a radio in his truck, and the only time it worked was when the headlights were on! Channeling MacGyver, he was famous for pulling his ponytail holder from his hair to fix the tap on a keg, ensuring the beer would flow. His backyard was his solace, and he could be found drinking a can of ice-cold Budweiser while hanging out in his man shed on any given day.

A great brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, Fred was as loyal as they come, and honest to the core. He possessed a wonderful sense of humor and often brought a good laugh from those around him. He reveled in searching for deals at local flea markets and thrift stores. Stubborn and hardheaded, a trait passed down from the Bauer genes, he frequently yelled at the TV, as well as the idiot drivers on the road. Children and animals (except Molly) were drawn to his soft side, and he held a natural ability to connect with them. Fred's legacy will forever live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

In addition to his parents, Fred is preceded in death by his brothers, Robert Eugene Bauer Jr, Leo Joseph Bauer III, Jeffrey Thomas Bauer, and Bruce William Bauer.

He leaves behind his wife, Annette (Stanley) Bauer of Beaufort; only son, F. "Bryan" Bauer (Dana) of Beaufort; brother, Dale Patrick Bauer (Maggie) of Monrovia, IN; grandson and the absolute light of his life, Beau Bauer; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

Fred's family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Jeremy Todd and his employees with Cardinal Hospice, and a big shout out to his good friends Frank Wutke and Billy Green for their unwavering support.

Cremation and Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Anderson Funeral Home, 611 Robert Smalls Parkway, Beaufort, SC 29906. Friends & family are invited to the funeral home to celebrate Fred's life on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 5:00 pm until 7:00pm. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held in Indiana this summer and will be posted upon finalization. To share a favorite story, send an online condolence to the family, or light a candle in Fred's memory, please visit his tribute page at www.andersonfhsc.com or www.lightmemorial.com.