Paul Bauer

Paul E. Bauer, 86, of Hide-A-Way Hills, passed away peacefully with family at his side on January 12, 2024, at the Fairhope Hospice and Palliative Center in Lancaster, Ohio.  Paul was born on December 23, 1937, to Alvin and Kathryn Bauer of Columbus, Ohio.  He married Gretchen “Bunny” Volz on August 4, 1962, and enjoyed 60 years of marriage before Bunny passed away in 2022.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Bunny; infant sons, Timothy and Matthew; his parents, Alvin and Kathryn; his brothers and sister, Louis, Charles, Joseph and Therese. Paul is survived by his children, David (Angie) Bauer and Kathy Weatherby; grandchildren, Timothy (Jennifer), Maximus, Kiana, Christopher (Ashley), and Michael; great grandchildren, Benjamin, Owen, Kyrie, and Dakota; brother, Frank (Karen) and sister, Veronica; and over 100 other nephews, nieces, and their children.

Paul joined the U.S. Army in August 1958 and served 18 months overseas in Germany as a JEEP driver with C Company, 1 BG, 18^th ID.  He often called this “the best job he ever had”.  Upon returning to the U.S., he served two more years as a Supply Seargent with the 1092^nd Transportation Command based in Akron/Canton before earning an Honorable Discharge on July 1, 1962.  Paul then married Bunny in August 1962 and soon purchased his first home and began to raise a family.

Paul worked as a machinist for 30 years at the Timken Roller Bearing Heat Treatment Plant on 5^th Avenue in Columbus before retiring and starting a second career in sign-making with Architectural Identification and Advent Designs.  Following the mentorship of his father-in-law, Norman Volz, he spent over 4 decades in Scouting, earning the highest leadership award, the Silver Beaver.  Along the way, he served leadership positions with BSA Troop 314 in Columbus, 326 in Reynoldsburg, and 26 in Pickerington.  He boasted his greatest achievement was founding Troop 26 in 1975 and serving as it’s Scoutmaster for over a decade.

Once his children, David and Kathy, moved out of the house and into their own lives, Paul and Bunny moved from Pickerington to Hide-Away-Hills, southeast of Lancaster, where they started a new life and met new friends.  During his 29 vibrant years in HAH, Paul served as the HOA Board President and formed groups that continue to grow today, including the highly successful Calcutta Golf Outing, the Fossil Golf League, and the Wednesday Dinner Group.

Paul will be cremated at Frank E. Smith Funeral Home in Lancaster, Ohio.  A Celebration of Life ceremony is scheduled at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 308 Elm St., Sugar Grove, Ohio on January 27 at 11:00 am.  The celebration will be followed by a luncheon hosted by church volunteers.  Paul will be buried next to his wife, Bunny, in St. Joseph Cemetery in Lockbourne, Ohio.   In lieu of flowers, you may make a memorial tribute in honor of Paul to FAIRHOPE Hospice in Lancaster, Ohio (fairhopehospice.org).