BAUER, RICHARD PAUL

Richard “Dick” Paul Bauer, 93, passed away August 30, 2023. He was born and raised in Akron, Ohio by his grandparents, aunt and uncle. As a teen, he sold produce and worked as a baker’s assistant and graduated from St Vincent High. Dick signed up for the Air Force Reserves with his friends. He was grateful to the military for teaching him about life and exposing him to the world.
He trained in Panama City, FL; Greenville, SC; then rode on a banana boat to serve as air support at the Frankfurt, Germany airport during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged. He met Nancy Moody in Akron, fell in love and courted her long distance when she moved with her parents to Phoenix. Dick and Nancy married in 1955 in Ohio as he attended Kent State University. The day after his graduation, they moved to Phoenix with their infant daughter, Deborah. She was soon joined by Kent, Suzanne and Rick. While Dick traveled tirelessly across Arizona as a wholesale tire dealer, Nancy took care of 4 kids ages 5 and under.
Being the entrepreneur that he was, Dick started his own tire sales business, Evans Tire Inc. and recruited most of his family to work for him. Nancy occasionally tendered her resignation only to resume bookkeeping for him. He took great pride in providing for his family and worked hard to do so. Dick and Nancy were able to travel to several countries including Switzerland and Austria. As Nancy says, “He gave us a good life”. He mellowed after retiring and was able to relish family time.
Dick had the gift of gab and did not hesitate to tell you his opinion whether it be current news or the status of ASU athletics. He truly enjoyed conversing with everyone he came into contact throughout his life and cherished his friends. The family would like to thank all the kind folks who made his golden years very enjoyable. We are also forever grateful for his caregivers who brought him much laughter, and great care, especially in his final months.
He was an original Phoenix Suns season ticket holder and also liked attending ASU football, Diamondbacks, Firebirds, Phoenix Symphony events; always generously inviting others to join. He and Nancy enjoyed attending and assisting at St Mary’s Basilica.
The family would like to thank Dr. J. Doris and Dr. J. Goldfarb for telling Dick his recent medical news with such compassion. Dad did delight in getting to know the doctors in residence and nurses at St. Joseph’s Hospital/Creighton/Barrow and wishes you well in your medical careers. We are also grateful for Hospice of the Valley for their assistance in his peaceful passing as he wished. Here’s to a long life well-lived, good job Dad you did it.
He is survived by his wife Nancy and children, Deborah (Wayne, deceased) Boese, Suzanne (Marty) Soto and Rick (Sue). He will be interred with his eldest son Kent who passed away in 2011. He was proud that his kids were all good people and loved being a grandfather of Wes Boese, Charles Bauer (Mimi), Dylan (Christian) Boese, Nicholas Bauer, Adam Bauer and Sarah Boese; and treasured being a great-grandfather of three. He is also survived by Bobby Hiel, nieces Patty and Susan and nephews Smokey and Tom, their children and grandchildren.
Should you wish to donate, please consider donation to St Mary’s Patronato Foundation, https://stmaryspatronato.org/ or Andre House, c/o Development, PO Box 2014, Phoenix, AZ 85001-2017 https://andrehouse.org or Hospice of the Valley, https://www.hov.org/donate/
A Funeral Mass will be held at St Mary’s Basilica, 231 N. 3rd St, Phoenix at 10:00 a.m. on Monday September 25, 2023 followed by a lunch gathering in the church social hall (Parking garage NW corner 5th St and Monroe).