J. Bruce Bauer

J. Bruce Bauer, age 86, currently of Plano, Texas, formerly of Winona, MN, Hayfield, MN, and Stillwater, MN, began dancing with Jesus early on Tuesday morning, September 22, 2020, at Medical City Plano. He was born on March 18, 1934 in Winona, Minnesota to parents Robert and Gwendolyn (Norton), the first of 5 children.

Bruce married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Mae Riggs, on June 14, 1958. They moved to Hayfield, MN where Margaret was teaching K-12 music at the local school. In fact, she was instrumental in Bruce’s hiring for his first teaching job as a Physics teacher, as they didn’t want to lose Margaret so they found a place for Bruce too! They moved to Stillwater, MN in 1962 so Bruce could continue his Physics teaching career at
Stillwater High School. Together they had 2 daughters and a son, several dogs, 2 guinea pigs, 2 cats, and a plethora of fish! While at Stillwater, he along with a teaching partner, created a unique course entitled Integrated Chemistry and Physics (ICP), which was later recognized as one of the top science programs in the United States. He was one of fifty inaugural winners of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching by the Reagan Administration in 1983. He and Margaret even traveled to Washington D.C. to receive a personal congratulations from President Reagan and breakfast at the White House.

He was the concession manager for football, wrestling, and basketball home games, brought to the students model airplane club and photography club, and recorded history through the magic of cassette tapes. He once said, ”I would dance on the table tops if it would help kids learn.” He was Mr. Bauer, “Dad”, and “Doc” to his students while still being Papa and Daddy to his family.

St. Mark’s School of Texas came “hunting” in 1990, recruiting Bruce to continue his craft with their young men in Dallas, Texas. He and Margaret accepted the challenge and moved to Plano, Texas in the summer of 1990. Who would ever move there in August? He officially retired his chalk in 2003 but continued to substitute at St. Mark’s and tutor young, influential minds for several years after. Bruce and Margaret still made it a priority to travel back to their Minnesota roots every summer for family, friends, and fishing, the final trip being this past June.

Bruce loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, above all else. He could often be found in a chair with his Bible open, his head leaned back, eyes closed, and praying to begin his day. He taught Sunday school, was a deacon, led the singing, was a high school youth leader, and participated in men’s groups. He even missed watching 4 Vikings Super Bowl appearances to spend time with his Lord at church, much to the chagrin of his
children!!

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Gwendolyn and brother, Gene. Bruce is survived by his wife, Margaret, daughter Dawn (Bauer) of Plano, Texas, daughter and son-in-law Robin (Bauer) and Stacey Sovine of Shakopee, MN, son and daughter-in-law Lane and Brooke (Fraze), grandchildren Joseph Sovine, Sam and Emily (Sovine) van der Hoeven, McClaine Bauer, Grayson Bauer, sister Carol (Bauer) Lottis, sister and brother-in-law Molly (Bauer) and Gary Hanson, brother and sister-in-law Paul and Carla (Watkins) Bauer and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM with a visitation beginning at 10:00 AM on Monday, September 28, 2020 at Chase Oaks Church - Legacy Campus (chaseoaks.org/legacy-campus), 281 Legacy Drive, Plano, Texas 75023 handled by Allen Family Funeral Options of Plano, Texas. (affoplano.com)

Gifts in honor of Bruce, Margaret, and the family can be made to Paws for Purple Hearts, Warriors Helping Warriors, 10201 Old Redwood Hwy, Penngrove, CA 94951 (707) 238-5110 pawsforpurplehearts.org.