Ernest P. Bauer

Ernie was born on January 27, 1940, in Orange, NJ. He was the only son of Ernest and Elizabeth Bauer and a big brother to Anita. His family came from humble beginnings, but the value of working hard was instilled at a young age. He and Ellen were high school sweethearts and were married on July 14th, 1962; shortly after had their two children, Karen and Erich. Ernest started his career in hospitals, overseeing their food and beverage program and quickly advanced.

In 1972, Ernie accepted a position with the CT Hospital Association and the family moved to their home in Knollwood Beach, Old Saybrook. In 1981, Ernest created Continuum Inc, and oversaw the company as Chief Executive Officer. He and Ellen traveled the country, overseeing and implementing medical purchasing programs. After 15 successful years, Ernest retired at the age of 56.

Ernie and Ellen traveled often- one of their first trips after retirement was driving to Alaska in their Volkswagen camper. They would snowshoe and camp in the Adirondacks, bike in Prince Edward Island, and drive across the country to visit their son in Oregon, all whilst stopping and seeing National Parks along the way. They visited 49 states; Ernie didn’t feel like flying to Hawaii as he enjoyed driving. Ellen and Ernie made many friends along the way and always made sure to bring back souvenirs and postcards to their grandchildren.

Ernest was a veteran of the US Navy and a past Lodge Master of the Masons. He was on the board of ‘Warriors for Warriors’, a non-profit that assisted veterans in receiving acupuncture services at no cost. He and Ellen were active volunteers at the Mystic Seaport and ‘Hole in the Wall,’ a summer camp for children battling terminal illness. Ernie and Ellen were also on the Adirondack Mountain Club board and participated in annual trail preservation and ‘work weekends.’

Ernie was also quite an athlete, and took part in countless marathons, triathlons, and bodybuilding. He and Ellen lived a very active life and were often seen walking and biking in Knollwood Beach. Ernest was a religious man and included bible study in his daily life. He and Ellen enjoyed many church activities and made wonderful friends at Westbrook Congregational.

Family was everything to Ernie and he was very proud of his 57 year marriage to Ellen.

He is survived by his son Erich Adam Bauer and his wife Sacha of Salem, OR; daughter Karen Perkins-Pulaski of Boulder City, NV; grandchildren Tosh Urbowicz of Old Lyme and her husband Keith Urbowicz, Forrest, August and Ansel. His great-grandson Beckett loved his ‘Pop’ very much. His niece Nancy and her son Chance were very dear to him as well as Donald Hempel and his family of Celebration, FL.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 20th at 10am at Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. Burial with military honors will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Old Saybrook followed by a reception at the Old Lyme Inn at 12:00 pm. Calling hours will be held on Monday, July 19th from 4-6pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to warriorsforwarriors.us