Donald Bauer
Age - 85
December 7, 2023
Donald William Bauer having led a full life filled with love and family, Donald W. Bauer, 85, passed away December 5, 2023, after a 16-month battle to recover from a stroke. Don was born August 27, 1938, in Meadville, Pennsylvania, the son of Marjorie and Theodore Bauer. Don graduated from Meadville High School in 1956, and then followed his dream of obtaining a college education. He enrolled at Grove City College, where he met the love of his life, Barbara Tregembo. Don and Barbara met on a rainy day on campus where he asked her to share his umbrella. And the rest, as they say, was history. Don and Barbara were married on July 13, 1960 - the beginning of a life's journey of travel and family. Don was an ROTC student, receiving a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and then on to the Air Force. The military led to many adventures as he and Barbara moved frequently, living in six states and in England, while having four children, before finally settling in Worthington, Ohio in 1972. He had a successful career in the Air Force including the honor of serving under Colonel Chuck Yeager. Don became a top salesman with Cessna, then Learjet, where he sold business jets. In 1988 Don and Barbara moved up the road to their home in Dublin, Ohio. Don was always there to tell a story of days gone-by and share important life philosophies and provide advice. He was a fierce protector of those he loved and will be remembered for his unrelenting love for Barbara, his family, his country, and of course his dog, Penny. Don had a lifelong passion for aviation, starting when he was just 11 years old at the Meadville Airport, just a mile down the road from his home, where he would work and help on anyone's aircraft, just to be close to the action. His passion for flying was only equaled by his passion for telling stories about flying. One favorite took place in the late 1950's when he was hired to fly a private plane to Cuba, not knowing the impending threat from Castro. With quick-thinking, Don took back off in the airplane just as the airport was closed, flying the one of the last civilian aircraft out of the country before it fell under the Castro regime. From family vacations in North Carolina to treks to Oshkosh for the annual air show, Don was immersed in aviation his whole life. Don also had a love for music, and he played the trombone semi-professionally in college, then picked it up again in earnest later in life, playing with the Salvation Army band and the Dublin Wind Symphony. He also sang in the Jerome Methodist Church choir. During the holidays you could always find him leading Christmas carols in the family living room, alongside Barbara as she played the piano - 12 days of Christmas was a family favorite with each day sung by a family member. The annual Christmas poem that was started in the mid 1950's by Barbara's dad, and then taken up by Don, became a family favorite. Everyone looked forward to his personalized rendition of the poem each year as the family grew. Don's greatest accomplishment and source of pride is his loving family - four children, 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren (with a fourth one due early next year). Don and Barbara kept touch with their family's lives through annual vacations to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Don is preceded in death by daughter-in-law Jackie and grandson John. Don is survived by his loving wife Barbara after 63 wonderful years of marriage, his brother Ronald Bauer and sister Carol Reber; Children Brent (wife Paula Jurcenko), Brian (wife Lori), Barry (wife Beth) and Donna Severance (Husband Steve); Grandchildren Alexandria, Katarina, Jacob, Alyson, Emily, Carly, Samantha, Sophia, Adam, Emily, Ted, Brooke and Jared; Great Grandchildren Joseph, Benjamin and Quinnly; and of course, Penny their beloved Boston Terrier. A celebration of life will take place in the Spring of 2024. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the American Stroke Association (https://www. stroke. org). Arrangements have been completed by JERRY SPEARS FUNERAL HOME of HILLIARD.
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