Alvin Leroy Bauer, 98, of Gering, Nebraska, died on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at Heritage Estates in Gering, Nebraska.
A Memorial Service, with military honors, will be held on Saturday, January 6, at 10:30 a.m. at the Gering United Methodist Church, with Bev Russell and Pastor Francis Kinyua officiating. At his request, Al’s ashes will be scattered on Laramie Peak at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Boy Scouts of America: Camp Laramie Peak or Gering United Methodist Church. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.dugankramer.com for the Bauer family. Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Alvin Bauer was born on April 5, 1925, in Greeley, Colorado, to Pauline (Betz) and John Bauer. As a child, he hoed sugar beets with his family in western Nebraska. His high school education was interrupted when he joined the Marines during World War II, eventually attaining the rank of Corporal. He finally graduated from Bayard High School in 1947, after he returned from serving in the South Pacific.
He married Beth Evelyn Lucas on June 26, 1949, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. They made their home in Gering, Nebraska.
Al worked at Dutch Maid Bakery from 1947-1954. Next, he worked for Lockwood Graders for 20 years, traveling all over the country for that job. He finished his working years as Chief Mechanic at Western Sugar, working year-round for more than 26 years with the sugar factory maintenance crews in Gering and Bayard. After he retired, he drove a truck during sugar beet harvest for several years.
Al was a long-time volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, beginning as a leader in 1961. He was excited to take three canoe trips with his sons to Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base. He loved to work at the Laramie Peak Scout Camp, helping with numerous maintenance and building projects over the years. He served on the National Scout Jamboree Staff near Washington, D.C. for two years, and earned the Silver Beaver and Wood Badge Awards, as well as a national award commemorating 50 years of Service to Scouting.
He was a member of Gering United Methodist Church since 1952.
Al lived in the same house in Gering for 70 years, until he moved to his daughter JoAnn’s house, and then to Heritage Estates. Throughout his life, he loved to go fishing and camping, and also enjoyed photography and working on his elaborate model railroad lay out. In his later years, Al was always pleased to spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved his family, and will be sadly missed by all.
Al is survived by his daughter, JoAnn (William) Lathrop of Gering; son, William (Janet) Bauer of Gering; granddaughters, Lindsey (Brian) Ferguson and Shana (Brock) Schank of Scottsbluff, Erin Bauer (Reed Tyler) of Pickerington, Ohio, Meagan (Andy) Stobel of Gering, Victoria (Caleb) Schank of Minatare; grandson, Levi Bauer of Gering; and great-grandchildren, Sheridan and Dillon Ferguson, Carter Lathrop, Tobin, Evelyn, Lydia, Ari, Ruthie, and Lucy Stobel, and William and Anna Tyler.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of 59 years, Beth; his only brother, Kenneth Bauer; and his youngest son, James P. Bauer.
The family would like to thank the staff of Heritage Estates for their excellent care of Al during the last few months of his life.