Colonel Charles J. Bauer (Ret.)'s Obituary
Colonel Charles J. Bauer (Ret.)
Charles J. (“Charlie”) Bauer, 86, of Lewes, Delaware, died on June 4, 2014.
He was born May 26, 1928 in New York City. He was soon orphaned and was raised in a foster home in Brooklyn, N.Y., along with his twin brother Ernie. Older sister Margaret and younger brothers George and Ben were cared for by family members. In 1944 he enlisted in the U.S. Merchant Marines; in 1946 he enlisted as a Private in the U.S. Army. He became a Warrant Officer in 1949 and commissioned a 2nd Lt. on August 2nd, 1951. He served 33 years in the Army, and in the course of a distinguished career achieved the rank of Colonel. He commanded units in battle in Korea and Vietnam. A decorated veteran, he received the Order of the Purple Heart 3 times for wounds in combat; he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross; the Bronze Star with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Silver Star for heroism in battle in Vietnam. He was a Master Parachutist serving with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. Prior to retirement he served as commander in the Panama Canal Zone and representing US military interests in Bogota, Colombia. A high school dropout, he went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Personnel Management from George Washington University.
After his military career, he founded, along with son Charles, Jr., a successful microfilm and imaging service bureau in the Washington, DC area, and was a noted luminary in the records management and archiving science field for several decades. He retired from professional life in 1995. In retirement, he continued to be active in church and family life.
Charlie (also known affectionately as “Pia”) married Edna Mary Gengenbach of New York on August 11th, 1951. He is survived by Edna ("Ed"), and children Chuck, Rick, Patty, Bob, Maggie and Mary. These children and their spouses have given Charlie and Ed 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Additionally, he leaves a legacy of generosity, unconditional love and a deep faith in his Lord Jesus Christ. Charlie had a tremendous wit and sense of humor and we will miss the laughter.
Services with full military honors will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at 11 AM at the Fort Myer Old Post Chapel. Internment will follow immediately in Arlington National Cemetery.
Guests without military identification also should allow time prior to the service to access Fort Myer from Washington Boulevard at the southwest edge of Fort Myer.
The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Salvation Army; Lewes Fire & Rescue, P. O. Box 225, Lewes, DE 19958 or Beebe Home Care, 20232 Ennis Road, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Please sign Charlie’s guestbook located on this site.
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