Milo Boyd Bauder

February 1, 1931 - July 11, 2024

Richland, Washington - On Thursday, July 11, 2024, the Lord called our beloved Father, Husband, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather home. Milo Boyd Bauder was born in Sterling, Colorado on February 1, 1931. After surviving the "Dust Bowl," he and his family moved to the Tri-Cities in 1941. He attended Kennewick schools and after graduating in 1949, Milo began college at Central Washington University. Along with his studies, he also excelled in basketball and football. In 1951 he was drafted into the Army. After his tour in the Army, he finished his college education at the University of Washington where he earned a degree in Business Administration.

Milo married his high school sweetheart, Donna Brewer, in 1951 and they were married for 61 years until she was called home in 2012. He married Virginia Anderson in 2013, who brought him joy for the rest of his days.

He lived nearly all his life in the Tri Cities. Milo was tenacious in every task that he set his hand to. As a teenager, he and his brothers built the family home. Later in life, he developed many South Richland neighborhoods, including Meadow Springs, Hills West, Crested Hills, Falcon Crest, WestCliffe, and SouthCliffe in Kennewick, totaling over 30 developments and farms. Milo and Donna ranched and farmed before turning their land into Meadow Springs golf community, sparking his love for land development.

Of all his successes, he treasured most exchanging his old life for a new life in Christ the most, transforming his life and those around him. Milo donated land to his church, Tri City Community, where he was a key player in construction projects, as well as teaching bible classes and playing on the church's basketball team - at 65! He had many dear friends there and was known for his big smile as "Smiling Milo." He enjoyed many good times with his family - traveling, trips to the family cabin on the Tucannon, deep sea fishing, deer hunting, cattle auctions, roundups, gospel and country music. His grandkids and great grandkids, however, brought him the most joy. In both hard times and good times, he was always there for his family.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Donna Bauder; father, Rudolph Bauder; mother, Luella Bauder; brothers, Gerald and Wayne Bauder.

Milo is survived by his wife, Virginia; 4 children & their spouses: Mark Bauder (Lauri), Bret Bauder, Terri Hash (Dale), and Sandi Faith; and 12 grandchildren: Cory Bauder, Jessica Hollandsworth, Kaylee Petersen and Kyle Bauder; Scot and Lilyann Bauder; Cassie Carroll, Tyler and Travis Kafentzis; and Alana Phillips, Joshua and Sophia Faith; and 26 great grandchildren.

A special thank you to our wonderful caretakers for all their service, care and love. They became part of the family and were loved by Milo.

Per Milo's wishes a private family graveside service will be held.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tri-City Herald on Jul. 17, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Milo Bauder

4 Entries

Betty Lou Higgins

Planted Trees

Sam & Sally Amato

Planted Trees

Pete Rogalsky

July 18, 2024

I'd like to extend my condolences to the Bauder family on Milo's passing. I worked for many years at the City of Richland, and in my role interacted with Milo often as he implemented his land development projects. Milo was always a gentleman to me. He was always very well prepared and planned all of his projects extremely well. He was ambitious in that he pursued developments that were difficult and required him to carry a large financial burden that others benefitted from afterwards. Milo exhibited a high degree of integrity, which I tried to reciprocate when circumstances called upon me to live up to promises made.

My professional relationship with Milo was based in a less formal era. When he wanted to discuss an element of one of his projects he would come to our offices and request to meet, often without an appointment. Many of these meetings occurred in my office. They were straightforward conversations in which we both laid out our interests and intents transparently and came to productive understandings that allowed both of us to succeed. Many of these meetings didn't result in any formal documentation. They lived on only in our memories, which we both had the integrity to follow through.
Land development business isn't done that way anymore.

After working with Milo in a professional capacity for many years I discovered we shared a common element of heritage in that our Germanic ancestors had emigrated from Russia. This gave me another element of connection to him.

I've also had opportunities to connect with Mark and Scott in various circumstances over the years. I hope this season of rememberance of Milo brings comfort and joy to them as they move along without him in this life.

Dave Bryant

July 17, 2024

Milo was a great man. As an employee of the City of Richland, I enjoyed working with Milo on many Park projects such as Trailhead Park and Crested Hills Park. I remember spending one Saturday with Milo and Mark, installing the irrigation system for Crested Hills Park. Milo made a positive impact on Richland and the entire Tri-Cities community.