Donald ("Don") R. Bauer died unexpectedly after a brief illness in South Carolina on May 12, 2023. He was born October 7, 1943, in Aurora, Illinois to Carl Bauer and Lydia (Becker) Bauer. Don was raised in Aurora and was graduated from Aurora East High School in 1961, where he excelled in academics, tennis, and student government. In 1965, he was graduated from Aurora University with a degree in Economics. He was the recipient of the coveted Spartan Award for his service to the university. After graduation, Don stayed at the university as an admissions counselor. Shortly thereafter, he earned a Master of Science in Student Guidance and Personnel Services from Indiana University - Bloomington. While in Bloomington, Don became an avid basketball fan and later served on the Parents' Committee while his daughters attended IU. Upon completion of his degree, Don returned to Aurora University as the Director of Admissions. During that time, he met his future wife, Mary Jane Coffel, who was the Public Relations Director at Waubonsee Community College. He also served as President of the Congregation at St. Olaf Evangelical Lutheran Church in Montgomery, Illinois. Don and Mary Jane were married in July 1971.

In 1973, he accepted a sales position at ServiceMaster in Downers Grove, Illinois, and they welcomed their first daughter, Elizabeth Anne ("Beth"). In 1974, the family moved to Connecticut, where he served the company in regional sales. Both Mary Jane and he were active in their church's youth program, serving as advisers. In 1976, the family moved back to the Chicago area and became active in their church's college program. He also earned a Master's in Business Administration through the executive program at ServiceMaster. In 1977, their second daughter, Sarah Courtney, was born in St. Charles, Illinois. Don continued his career at ServiceMaster in various sales roles for nearly 40 years. He served on the board of his daughters' school, including a tenure as president. In recent years, he worked in sales at Prudential until his retirement in 2020. Don became the coordinator of the Immanuel Presbyterian Church Food Pantry in 2019. Throughout his life, his core values included faith, family, and service. He was a lifelong Christian and believed he was called to serve others in his community. He embodied a life well lived.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Lydia Bauer, and his sister, Dolores (Bauer) Uhrig.

Survivors include his beloved wife and partner on this journey, Mary Jane; his daughters, Elizabeth Anne and Sarah Courtney (Cristopher Kennedy); his granddaughter, Emma Jane; his older brother, LeRoy (Sandy) Bauer of Aurora, Illinois; his nephew Jeff (Lynn) Bauer of Oswego, Illinois; his nephew Joel (Christy) Bauer of Sycamore, Illinois; his niece Carey (Craig) Scheinost of Geneva, Illinois; his nephew Rodney Uhrig of St. Louis, Missouri; his nephew Craig (Charmaine) Uhrig of Scotts Bluff, Nebraska; his niece Deb (Scott) Beckman of Elgin, Nebraska; and his niece Jennifer (Scott) Hoffschneider of Arlington, Nebraska.

To continue Don's call to service and in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Immanuel Presbyterian Church Food Pantry Expansion Fund. Don was chairing the committee to expand the reach of this ministry at the time of his death.

A memorial service to honor Don's life will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 29W260 Batavia Road, in Warrenville, Illinois.