Robert (Bob) Ivan Bauer, 96, died April 21, 2025, at Liberty Place Assisted Living in Clay Center, Kansas. He was born December 21,1928 in Clay Center, the son of Ernest William and Pera Aral (Nemnich) Bauer.
Bob grew up in the Broughton area, attended the Broughton grade school and graduated from Clay Center High School in 1946. He served two years in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1947. Bob married Loretta Biel in 1949, and they farmed in the Broughton area until 1955. He joined the Kansas Highway Patrol in 1956 and worked in various areas of the state. After a brief hiatus with Guerdon Industries in Kansas and California selling manufactured mobile homes, he returned to the patrol in 1962 and retired in 1983, ending the last ten years of his career as KHP’s liaison officer in the Sedgwick County Attorney’s Office in Wichita, Kansas. Bob also received an Associate Degree in Administration and Justice, Barton County Community College, Great Bend, Kansas, in 1982.
In 1977, Bob married Jane Fitch of Wichita, Kansas. After they retired, Bob and Jane were full-time RV-ers and traveled to all 48 contiguous U.S. states. They based out of Happy Trails Resort in Surprise, Arizona, 1990-2013. Bob was security supervisor for five years and a realtor at the resort for many years, retiring again at age 84. Bob and Jane returned to Wichita about 11 years ago.
Throughout his life, Bob had many interests. He learned to fly and for a while owned a 90hp Ercoupe with fabric wings. He also owned a motorcycle and loved to boat and water ski, read and pursue genealogical research about his ancestors.
Bob’s wife preceded him in death in 2021. He is also preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Pera Beth (Bill) Eichelberger and Greta Alice (Richard) Pickett; his brothers Lafe, Gail, Wynn and Wade Bauer; and son-in-law, Jonathan Knight.
Survivors include his three daughters, Karen (Lawrence) Fabean, Ft. Mill, SC; Janet (Tom) Reznicek, Grand Junction, CO; and Judith Bauer Knight, Kansas City, MO; plus, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by three stepchildren, Janice (Vicky Fox) Fitch, Jay Fitch, Jill (Rick) Davis, and three step-grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
The family is most grateful for the expert loving care provided by everyone at Liberty Place and Meadowlark Hospice. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM, June 14, 2025 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, and a private internment will take place at a later date at the Broughton Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or Liberty Place and sent to the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home, 918 7th Street, Clay Center, KS 67432.
