Gustave Robert Bob Bauman

Gustave Robert Bauman, "Bob" was born September 7, 1923 and died in his Harper Woods home of 65 years on June 27, 2017 at the age of 93. Bob had an older sister Betty and a younger brother Theodore (Ted) both deceased and were loved dearly by Bob. Bob is survived by his loyal and devoted wife of nearly 67 years Bernadine, five children and spouses, Bob (Colleen), Mary Ann (Bart), Therese (Fred), Michele (Jim) and Nancy (Anthony), 15 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Bob exemplified the "Greatest Generation" accepting the hardships of life as personal challenges to overcome. Those began for him at age 13 when his father died unexpectedly and the family radio and novel television business was lost during the great depression. He considered education the key to escaping "being poor" treasuring his Catholic Central High School education that required a daily 45 minute bus ride to and from the school and working afternoons and weekends in a butcher shop to cover tuition. At age 15 he met Bernadine Wolfbauer whose brother, Michael, was dating (and then married) Bobs sister Betty. Bob enlisted in the Air Force and became a B-24 pilot flying many bombing missions over northern Italy. Following discharge at the end of the European war, he resumed working for his Uncle Linuss Electrical Contracting business along with his best friend and cousin Paul Brooks. He and Paul eventually purchased Schnurr Electric Co. and were successful partners and best friends until Paul died unexpectedly in 1982. Our families shared many wonderful family gatherings with Pauls family and treasure the memories. Missing his friend and partner greatly, Bob closed the business shortly thereafter. Some years later Bob and a great friend Ben Trentacosta invented an automated translucent wind-breaking autowash door for "Trent Auto Wash" and successfully marketed their invention as "Windoor" across the country and Internationally. They retired in their mid 70s and sold the business. Bob and Bernadine married on September 7, 1950. Together they raised and educated five children. Bob encountered many professionals during his work and developed great respect for their work and lifestyle strongly encouraging each sibling to pursue multiple degrees. Bob covered all expenses and took exceptional pride in three completing Medical School, one completing a Masters in Polymer Chemistry and an MBA and finally one completing a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA. Summers were spent at the "cottage" on Round Lake that Bob and Bernie purchased in 1959 and Bob often referred to the cottage as the "best investment of my life" providing wonderful times that our family shared with cousins, family and friends throughout the summer. In addition, Bob and Bernadine exposed their children to extensive travel covering most of the states west of the Mississippi, the New York World's Fair, and St. Thomas Island of the Virgin Islands. Bob was a devout catholic and took great pride in completing many schools and churches for the Archdiocese of Detroit. He and Bernadine were close friends with many priests and nuns. During retirement Bob and Bernadine travelled extensively, doted on grandchildren, and for the last several years wintered in the Florida sun. Bob was the consummate family man. He loved and was loved and will be sorely missed. Bob survived a number of life threatening events including an acute Myocardial Infarction complicated by sudden death in 1984 treated successfully with the pioneering Interventional Cardiology skills of Dr. Richard Sean Stack and Dr. Harry R. Phillips, III and innumerable Medical Staff of Duke Medical Center, a total Paralysis Stroke (2001) due to a very large Intracranial hemorrhage with a prognosis of living one to two weeks and then successfully recovering all function over 12 weeks via his determination and the dedication and skills of St. Johns Hospital Rehab and a Five Vessel Coronary Bypass (2006) by Dr. Donald D. Glower of Duke Medical Center extremely high risk in the setting of the past Stroke/bleed recovering without complication. Clearly Bob loved quality living, was willing to fight for it and blessed with exceptional medical care that enabled his amazing will and fortitude to be successful. In all cases family members accompanied and enjoyed a cheer leader role for Bob during these struggles. Bob was especially thankful to the wonderful dental care provide by Paul Schaftnitz, DDS and his wonderful staff. Bob was dialysis dependent for the last two years of his life absent complications respective of the collective expert guidance of the DeVita Professional Dialysis Staff on Warren inclusive of his Physician Quresh T. Khairullah M.D., Nurses, Wendy and Rosemary and Social Worker, Kathleen along with other kind members of the Staff. Bob and Bernadine looked forward to their regular visits. Bob always wore a suit and tie to convey how special he considered these "routine" visits. Bob and Bernadine considered the Nephrology Staff part of their family extending their love and receiving it in return in so many ways. Dr. Khairullah and Wendy visited Bob on multiple occasions at his house over the last month when Bob was too weak to travel. He loved them and they loved him. Bob, Bernadine and Family were supported by many private duty caregivers and Hospice services over the last months however, one particular individual, Denise made a special personal commitment to support them. Bob and Bernadine always looked forward to Denise arriving knowing that the things that they could no longer do would be completed as if they had done them. Most important, Denise always found a way to enliven and brighten Bobs and Bernadines last days together with laughter and cheer. Bobs "children" extend to include his loyal nieces and nephews that visited frequently with flowers, food, treats but most importantly love. With special thanks to all especially Tim, Sharlene, Yvonne and Fred. Visitation Thursday 5-7 pm and Friday 2-8 pm with a Rosary at 7 pm at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, at Vernier Rd., Grosse Pointe Woods. Instate Saturday 9:30 am until the time of the Mass at 10:00 am at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 467 Fairford, Grosse Pointe Woods, 48236. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to KidNeeds (Kidney Research), American Heart Association, Wayne State University Medical School, or Wounded Warriors. Please share memories at ahpeters.com.