Ronald R. Bauer

Ronald Robert Bauer

Building & Plumbing Inspector, Community Leader in Morris County

Ronald R. Bauer, 93, of Florham Park passed away peacefully on March 7, 2026, at his Florham Park residence. Funeral services will begin 9:30 AM Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Hancliffe Home for Funerals, 222 Ridgedale Ave, East Hanover, NJ 07936 with a 10:30 AM Mass at Holy Family R.C. Church, 1 Lloyd Avenue, Florham Park, NJ 07932. Entombment will follow at Restland Memorial Park. Visiting hours are Wednesday 4-8PM with an Elks service at 7PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Ron's favorite charity, Elks Army of Hope National Foundation c/o Madison Elks Lodge #1465, 192 Main St. Madison, NJ 07940.

Born in Irvington and raised in Union, Ron resided in East Hanover and Parsippany-Troy Hills before moving to Florham Park in 2007. He started working in the family business as a Plumbing Apprentice for Ted Bauer & Son, Inc. eventually becoming Vice President in 1956. In 1964 Ron formed Bauer Bros, Inc., which constructed 12 custom homes in the Tiffany Drive section of East Hanover. After the completion of the development, he was employed as a journeyman for Plumbers Local #24 in Newark for 8 years. In 1975 Ron established Ron Bauer, Inc. Plumbing & Heating Company. At which time he also held the position of Plumbing Subcode Official for East Hanover, Roseland, and West Caldwell, and served as the Part-Time Plumbing Inspector for Parsippany and Belleville. In 1983 Ron managed the development of Belantrae Greens in Florham Park and served as the Maintenance Manager upon its completion. His experience in construction and plumbing led to his employment as the Plumbing and Construction Subcode Official for the NJ Treasury Dept. Division of Building and Construction, where he was named Inspector of the Year in 1988. Afterwards, Ron was employed by the Township of Parsippany- Troy Hills as the Asst. Construction Official for 15 years before serving as the Construction Official until his retirement in 2006. He was then employed as the part-time Building Inspector for the Borough of Florham Park and as a funeral assistant for the Par-Troy Funeral Home for 16 years and then Hancliffe Home for Funerals for the past 14 years.

His professional memberships include, Orange and Maplewood Chapter of Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, American Society of Plumbing Engineers, Education Testing Service, NJ Code Officials Association-Morris County Chapter, Florham Park Construction Board of Appeals, and Life Member of the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials. Ron served as President of the Morris County Plumbing Inspectors Association from 1982-1984, and the N.J. State Plumbing Inspectors Association from 1985-1987, obtaining Life Membership for his 50 years of active service. He was also a member of IAMPO International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. He also sat on the Board of Directors for Morristown & Vicinity State League of Master Plumbers, and Essex County P.H.C.C. Association. Ron served his country in the US Navy as a 3rd class Medical Corpsman on board the USS Roanoke CL-145 during the Korean War. He is a Past Commander of the East Hanover American Legion Post #421, Life member of the VFW Troy Hills Memorial Post #10184, member of the Florham Park American Legion Post #43 and Past District Chairman of the NJ Elks Army of Hope Committee.

Ron was active in various fraternal organizations beginning in 1958 when he was appointed Director of the Madison-Florham Park Lions Club. He is also a 45+ year life member, and He is also a Past Exalted Ruler of the Madison Elks Lodge #1465, where he served as NJ Safety Chairman for 10 years. Ron is a Master Mason and member of the Madison Lodge #93 F. & A.M. Ron also dedicated much of his time to the community. He volunteered his medical experience to the East Hanover First Aid Squad and served as the "last elected" Morris County Coroner in 1968. Ron was appointed President of the Florham Park Businessmen's Association from 1965-67. He also dedicated 12 years as a Special Policeman for the Borough of Florham Park. Ron was a member of the Florham Park Senior Citizens, Historical Society, and Gazebo Committee, and 11 year member of the Florham Park Police Unity Tour and in 2008 he received the "Morris County Distinguished Service Medal" from the Board of Chosen Freeholders. Ron was an active 50 year member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where he served 6 years on the church council and two as President. In his leisure time, he enjoyed vacationing with family and friends and spending time with his grandsons.

He is pre-deceased by his loving wife of 51 years Evanne Janet (Kuna) Bauer, by three brothers, Theodore G., William E. and Robert Bauer and one sister Elizabeth Goddard. Ron is survived by his two devoted daughters, Marlene Bauer of Bedminster, and Adrianne Farrell and husband Michael of Florham Park; by two grandsons, Michael and Christian Farrell; by two sisters, Barbara Kooyenga and husband Fred of Mesa Goodyear, AZ, and Carolyn Zaleski and husband Richard of East Hanover, by sister in laws: Joanne Bauer of South Carolina and Nancy Minard of Lake Hopatcong along with nieces Lisa, Karen and nephew Jeff; and by his special companion Eunice Dickerson of Madison.