Robert "Bob" J. Bauer

Robert “Bob” Bauer, age 93 of Green Bay, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 9, 2026. He was born on August 3, 1932, in Mondovi, WI to the late Walter and Bernice (Mickelson) Bauer. On August 5, 1961, he married the love of his life, Joanne Salm and in 2021 they celebrated their 60th anniversary, only two weeks before Joanne’s passing.

Bob attended Mondovi School System, graduating in 1950. He enrolled at University of Minnesota in Fall Quarter, 1950, graduated with a B.S. degree with a major in Music Education in 1954 as well as having received a Lt. commission in the US Army. Bob then attended graduate school and received his master’s in music degree in 1964.

From 1954 through 1961, Bob worked for the Lima Sacred Heart School system, then, Mondovi High School 1961 through 1964, Marinette High School from Fall of 1964 through 1969. Bob experienced much success in his teaching career at the secondary level as evidenced by the number of superior ratings awarded to the bands under his direction. The Mondovi High School band performed at the Wisconsin State Music Convention in 1962 and 1964. Marinette High School’s top band was selected to present the opening concert at the 1967 State Music Convention at U.W. Madison. Bob served on the Wis. Music Educators Conference Board of Directors for six years and was part of the state committee charged with developing the Wisconsin Honors Music Project in 1966.

In 1969, Bob was named director of bands for the University of Wisconsin Green Bay (UWGB) where he also chaired the Music program and guided the Music Program to accreditation with the National Association of Schools of Music in 1977. He then became Chairperson of Communication and the Arts, the interdisciplinary home of Music, Theater, Visual Art and Communication. He served in this role for five years. He then became the Associate Vice Chancelor for the Arts and Social Sciences in 1973 and, with academic reorganization of the campus curriculum, was appointed Dean of Professional Programs and Continuing Education. He served in that role until he retired in 1994 as Dean Emeritus. Throughout Bob’s career at UWGB he continued to teach in the music program, achieving Full Professor status in 1979. Bob was also appointed chairman of the Building Committee for the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts on UWGB’s campus in the late 1960’s. The Weidner Center acoustics which Bob helped design are considered by many to be the best in the Midwest.

A highlight of Bob’s “band” career was the invitation to bring the UWGB Band to Switzerland for an eight-week encampment to promote the arts for a new institution of higher education in the Canton of Valais. The Los Angeles Debut Orchestra was also in attendance at the same encampment. During the seventh week, the Band was sent to perform several concerts in Romania by the United States Department of State.

Bob and Joanne shared a common interest in antiques and spent over 40 years collecting antiques and running the Village Peddler Antiques. They were recognized as experts with silver holloware and flatware. They were also avid bridge players and enjoyed five winters living in Florida during their retirement. Bob and Joanne’s financial support established scholarships at UW Green Bay and UW Stout. Bob also recently endowed a professorship of violin in the UW Green Bay music program. Bob taught and guided many students who have gone on to be successful musicians and a number who have been band directors in Wisconsin. He has touched countless lives in his long academic career at the high school and college level. He was also a valued colleague wherever he taught and worked.

He is survived by his nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death are his wife, Joanne, parents, brother, Walter (Mary Jane) Bauer, sisters, Lavon (Richard) Smith and Annabel Bauer and sister in law, Nancy Bauer.

Family and friends may gather on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 9:30am to 10:45, with the Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00am at Resurrection Catholic Parish, 333 Hilltop Dr., Green Bay. Entombment will take place at Allouez Catholic Mausoleum, Allouez. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bob's memory can be made to Resurrection Catholic Parish or to UWGB Foundation.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Robert’s Care Advocates, Denise Bangert and Theresa Rivers as well as Moments Hospice for all of their loving care.