Obituary of Frank P. Bauer

Frank P. Bauer, 61, died at home on September 17, 2016. Frank was the son of Helmut F. Bauer (Tumwater) and the late Erika Margaret S. Bauer. Erika was known for entertaining with dinner parties and cocktails at their family home in Sten Village on Ward Lake. Helmut is retired from Sunset Life. Frank was born in Wurzburg, Germany, and flew into the United States at a very young age with his parents. He grew up in Irving, Texas; Austin, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Olympia, Washington. Frank enjoyed snow skiing, hunting, fly fishing, fishing, golfing, reading, and traveling, especially golf trips to Bend, Oregon and Palm Desert, California. On a rainy day on October 7, 2015, Frank aced #7 at Indian Summer Golf and Country Club, witnessed by John Fulton. Randy Hain was on hand to witness his second hole in one on #11 on August 23, 2016. Frank was a Cougar, graduating from Washington State University in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication/Advertising. He had a long career in the newspaper advertising industry. He worked with Gannett and McClatchy Newspapers. Frank held management positions at the Pensacola News Journal, Pensacola, Florida; St. Cloud Times, St. Cloud, Minnesota; The Hattiesburg American, Hattiesburg, Mississippi; The Herald Dispatch, Huntington, West Virginia; The Times, Shreveport, Louisiana; The Olympian, Olympia, Washington; and The News Tribune, Tacoma, Washington. Frank excelled in Excel and made excellent use of it in preparing budgets and spreadsheets. Jill B. Bauer, his wife of 24 years, relished their life together. They enjoyed quiet time at home, spending time with friends and family, traveling, pets (including their golden retrievers), and some cross country moves. Frank considered it a privilege to guide his younger brother, Chris, sometimes with quick wit and a wry smile. Frank shared his expertise on fishing and hunting with Chris. Frank’s daughter, Amy Marie Bauer Wood and her husband, Jason, blessed him with two grandchildren, Rieley and Cheyenne. He really enjoyed making them laugh and spoiling them if at all possible. His aunt, Renate Janzen and her husband, Uwe, of Hanau, Germany, visited twice recently. They secured a rental home in Seabrook, Washington for two weekend family getaways. All enjoyed good food, good conversations, and great views. Many toasts and memories were shared. A recent quote that Frank posted may give you a sample of his sense of humor: “My goal in life is to piss off at least one person a day. So far I’m about four years ahead of schedule.” Survivors include his wife, Jill B. Bauer; father, Helmut F. Bauer; aunt, Renate and her husband, Dr. Uwe Janzen; brother, Chris Bauer and his wife Kim; nephew, Jackson; nieces, Ava, Lily, Alexis Freeto and her husband, Josh; daughter, Amy Wood and her husband, Jason; grandchildren, Rieley and Cheyenne; mother in-law, Kathryn M. Brinn; sister in-law, Lois Ann Daniels and her husband, Dan; nephew, Toby Daniels and his wife, Amanda; niece, Brinn Daniels; nephew, James Daniels and his wife, Stefanie; sister-in-law, Dawn Brinn; niece, Vicky Thornton; and grandnieces and grandnephews. Please leave memories of Frank or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.