Robert E. Bauch

Robert E. "Bob" Bauch, 88, of Freeport died Friday, November 15, 2013 in Freeport. He was born February 19, 1925, in Freeport to Clement and Priscilla (Davis) Bauch. He married Rosemary McKeown of Belvidere on September 10, 1949. Bob was raised on a farm during the Great Depression and developed his strong work ethic at a very early age, performing any job he could find. After graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving in the South Pacific during World War II. Bob was honorably discharged as a Motor Machinist's Mate, Second Class at the end of the war. Bob worked for many years in the grocery business, starting with a successful career with A&P as a store and regional manager in Freeport, Rockford, Belvidere and DeKalb. He later returned to his hometown of Freeport to manage Lee's Market for 22 years. Bob worked in real estate following his grocery career, and then spent his early "retirement" years serving as the Transportation Director for the Stephenson County Senior Center. Bob was a member of many fraternal, social and service organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Eagles Club No. 679, Germania, Knights of Columbus, Chamber of Commerce, and the one most dear to his heart, Elk's Lodge No. 617, where Bob was the Lodge's longest-standing member at 60 years. Bob enjoyed socializing with his wife, Rosemary, sing-a-longs, home improvement projects and was particularly proud of his basement workshop. He loved to organize and run games, especially the annual picnic games celebration for his grandchildren known as "Bouk Games". Bob enjoyed many lake vacations with his family. He also loved to share his storehouse of information about Freeport and its history, having lived there almost his entire life. Surviving are daughters, Stephanie (Dan) DeFilippo of Schaumburg, Roxanne Meersman of Rockford, Mary (Steve) Torell of Plymouth, MN., Beth (David) Effa of Grayslake and Susan (Keith) Lincoln of Machesney Park; sons, John (Jan) Bauch of Freeport, Jim (Nancy) Bauch of Madison, Wis., Tom (Pam) Bauch of Schaumburg and Joe (Beth) Bauch of Rockford; grandchildren, Sarah and Amy DeFilippo, Joe, Tom (Tracy) and Katie Meersman, Melissa Grimes and Bobby Bauch, Pat, Chris and Ben Bauch, Laura, Ryan and Allison Bauch, Emily, Mark and Brad Torell, Rebecca, Rachel and Danny Effa, Chad, Zach (Jamie), Kyle, Daniel and Sam Lincoln and Nick, Ellen and Anna Bauch; seven great-grandchildren and brother, Davis (Carol) Bauch of Pecatonica. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rosemary; three brothers, Stanley, Donald and William; sister, Elizabeth Lavicka; and an infant sister. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, November 22, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Freeport with Father Kenneth Anderson officiating. Visitation will be held from 3:00-7:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 21, at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport, with a scripture reading at 3:00 P.M. There will also be a visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Cremation rites will be accorded with burial at Calvary Cemetery in Freeport at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bob's name to memorial funds benefitting Aquin Catholic Schools or the Freeport Parks Foundation. Please visit the guestbook at www.burketubbs.com.