The passing of Rev LeRoy Bauman

We lost the final corner stone of our family today, as Loyce’s father, Leroy Bauman passed away around noon.  He was in a Nursing facility in Des Moines, where he has been a resident for the last several months. With his loss we now have no living parents.

Last winter when we were in Arizona, dad suffered a stroke that set him back, and made it hard for him to be alone.  He lived with Loyce’s sister Betsy in their home in Urbandale, Iowa.

With his passing, I have lost an avid blog reader, as he often would read my scribbles here on the web site.  He thought it was great, as he could keep up with us in our travels and daily thoughts.  I privately wondered what he really thought, as he was an English major before he went to divinity school.  But ever his gracious self, he would compliment me for the writings!

When he could no longer work the computer, Betsy would often  print out some of the blogs for him to read.  He wanted to go see the motorhome last summer, even though he would have been too weak to climb the stairs into the door.  He loved travel, and would encourage us to go see everything.

Dad was 93 last fall when his birthday rolled around, and had been retired for many years.  As a minister, he had served 8 churches and so many parishioners that it would be hard to even know the number.  He was an approachable  and likeable fellow that folks bonded with almost instantly.

He refused to see bad things in any person, but rather sought the things that were right and commendable. Perhaps one of the most positive folks I have ever met.

There are so many things I could say here, but perhaps it will be summed up by dad we’re going to miss you!

Retired Rod