Meryl C Bauer

Meryl C. Bauer

June 17, 1930 ~ July 16, 2021

Meryl C. Bauer passed away at the age of 91 on July 16, 2021. Meryl was born in Yankton, South Dakota to William and Lucille Bauer, the seventh of nine children. He spent his early years in Yankton living a life, as he described it, not unlike Huckleberry Finn. When he was 12 his family moved west, to Wapato WA, where he grew up working in the orchards and playing football, basketball, baseball and tennis. He was an outstanding athlete and was named to the All-Conference first team in both football and basketball (where he broke the scoring record for most points in a season). He was also named to the All-State Basketball team. He went on to play football at WSC (WSU) and EWC (EWU) where he, again, earned All-Conference honors. It was at WSC that Meryl met Marylin James, the love of his life. Meryl and Marylin recently celebrated 71 years of marriage this past June. They had five boys: (Meryl) Patrick, Michael, Scott, Todd and Timothy. Meryl earned a BA in Education and a Masters of Administration while attending Eastern. He loved teaching and spent 26 years teaching 6th graders at Pratt, Audubon, and Logan Elementary Schools before health issues forced his retirement in 1982. He always spoke fondly and proudly of the students he taught and the staff he taught with. He also often spoke of his wonderful memories of working during harvest on the family farm near Colfax. One of Meryl’s great loves was socializing, conversing and joking with his big family and many friends. He always had a laugh to share and a joke to tell. He made it a point to know and talk with everyone. He absolutely loved family reunions and get-togethers. Right up to his passing he was still talking on the telephone to his beloved children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends, sometimes for hours. He thought Spokane was the most beautiful place to live and believed he was one of the most fortunate people alive. He often said that marrying Marylin was the best thing he’d ever done. He was devoted to taking care of her. Meryl is preceded in death by his parents and brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife, Marylin, his five sons, Patrick (Debbie), Michael (Annella), Scott, Todd, Timothy (Sheri), five grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Meryl’s memory to Catholic Charities. A Celebration of Meryl’s life will be held on Monday, July 26, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Hennessey Funeral Home, 2203 N Division St, Spokane, WA.

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