Delano R. Bauer

Delano (Del) R. Bauer died on Saturday, July 7 at the age of 74.

He was born in Spokane on March 15, 1938, as the only child to Rose and Solomon Bauer, from Paha. He graduated from Ritzville High School and attended Columbia Basin College.

It is said by friends and family that he lived simply, loved generously, cared deeply and spoke kindly. He filled his life with humor and wonderful friends.

He was always a wheat farmer from Paha, but he had many other ventures in his life. His business acumen started when he was only 20-years-old and he built and managed a nursing home in Ritzville with Dr. Charles Schmick.

After marrying, he and his wife Lucy moved to Spokane where he started his own irrigation/landscape business. He retired from that business after 38 successful years and moved to their “place on the river” in Newport.

He was married for over 50 years to the love of his life, Lucy. They lived well, laughed often, and the relationship let him be free to be himself. He always sang praises of his children, grandchildren and others.

He considered his children, Laurra, Brian and Adam his biggest accomplishment and when they married, he dearly loved their spouses Tony, Andrea, and Mary.

He was known as “Bear” to his grandchildren; Nicola, Marek, Bridgette, Andrew, Lucy, Helena, and Pace. They filled his heart with joy. He leaves behind his family, in-laws, Alex Schmidt and Stacey Barnhill, Selma and Virgil Umbarger, and Bonnie Wilmot, and nieces and a nephew.

Throughout his 74 years, he enjoyed hunting in Paha with his good friend Pete Horn and the boys. His passions included downhill skiing, water skiing, and memorizing poetry by Robert W. Service, his favorite poem was “The Cremation of Sam McGee.”

The family reqests that memorial gifts be made in his name to the Hospice of Spokane, PO Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210, or Pend Oreille County Youth Emergency Service, PO Box 944, Newport, WA 99156.

Per his request there are no memorial services. A gathering to share laughter, stories, food and spirits is to be held on Saturday, July 14 from 1-4 p.m. at C.I. Shenanigan’s Restaurant, 332 North Spokane Falls Court, Spokane.