Lester Ralph Bayer

Lester Ralph Bayer was taken home to be with his Lord on Aug. 19, 2008, at the age of 84. He was born to Erhard and Olga Bayer of Janesville, WI on Dec. 23, 1923. He married Lois Beck in 1947 and they were given 61 years of loving and serving each other and their Lord's people. Their life together was shared abundantly with the many communities of believers with whom they worked and played. Their marriage was blessed with children Tim, Mike and wife Beverly, Pam and husband Art, Lynn, 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Les touched many lives sharing his wisdom and wit as an educator, leader, author, mentor, husband, father, and friend. With education degrees from Concordia University-River Forest, IL, Northern Colorado University, and a doctorate in college administration from The University of Texas, Dr. Bayer pursued his passion, the mission of Lutheran schools. He taught elementary students, opened an eight-grade-one room school, served as a principal, and as professor and academic dean for Concordia University¬ Austin. He served on the Board for Higher Education for the Lutheran Church-MO Synod in St. Louis, and as professor, administrator, and founder and director of the Center for Urban Education Ministry at Concordia University-Bronxville, NY. After retirement, he filled an interim presidency at Concordia-Austin. He authored many devotions, journal articles, and two published books, Devotions for the Chronologically Gifted and Memories & Mentors of Professional Church Workers. He received several recognition awards including the Lutheran Educator Award, an honorary doctorate, the Christus Magister Award, and the Servant of Christ Award. Visitation will be at Weed-Corley Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 6-8 p.m. His life will be celebrated with a memorial service at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Friday, Aug. 22, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Bayer Educational Endowment at Concordia University-Austin, the Center for Urban Education at Concordia University-Bronxville, NY, or the Redeemer Lutheran School Endowment.