Robert 'Bob’ Henry Bauer, 83, passed away Monday, May 26, 2025, looking out at his beloved Stony Lake with the love of his life, Kathleen Sullivan, at his side.

Bob was surrounded by art during his childhood, inspired by the paintings of his grandfather and uncle, and experimented with many mediums throughout his long career. He spent nearly 30 years at Grand Valley State University as a graphic designer, retiring in 2000 as Art Director of the University's Communications Department. He was best known for display works that remain in the University collection, including the annual President's Holiday Cards, athletic art pieces for the Fieldhouse galleries, and posters for theatre productions. He won national recognition for Best Football Cover and Best Olympic Cover, among other accolades. The director of his department once described his work as “the look of a chapter in the University's history.” 

After retirement, Bob really stretched his artistic gifts, creating paintings and sculpture that are part of many local collections. He loved the home he shared with Kathy at Stony Lake, filling it with his own and others' artworks as well as showcasing their collection of antique duck decoys.

Bob grew up in Grand Rapids, where he graduated from South High School. He worked at Fideler Publishing there and at the Los Angeles Herald Examiner in California, before moving home and taking the job at Grand Valley. He loved to travel, and had his fondest memories of visits to Spain, Germany, Austria, Bermuda, Jamaica and France. He enjoyed fishing with friends in Canada and at Stony Lake, as well as racquetball, tennis and golf. He was a social man who loved spending time with his family and with a convivial group of friends in Grand Rapids, Stony Lake, and most recently at the house he and Kathy built in Florida. He loved a good party.

Bob was born on July 4, 1941 and was married to his wife, Kathleen Sullivan, for 34 years. Survivors include daughter, Amy (Chad) Read and son, Adam Bauer from a previous marriage; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Bauer;  sister-in-law, Kristine (John) McConnell; Niece, Riane (Ben) Hallsten; nephews, William McConnell, Timothy McConnell; father-in-law Phillip G Davis; Grandchildren; Tyler (Jordan) Miller, Simon Miller, Riley Miller, Nicholas (Kassie) Bauer, Jacob Bauer, Zander Bauer, Colin (Elizabeth) Read, Devin (Autumn) Read; great-grandchildren, Ethan, Kenleigh, Jolene, Gracelynn, Calliam, Piper, River and Carter.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Donald H and Laurel J Bauer; son, Robert “Scott” Bauer; grandson, Cameron Bauer; brother, David H Bauer; Sister, Karen P (Bauer) Spellman; mother-in-law, Elizabeth A (Schultz, Sullivan) Davis; father-in-law, Robert E Sullivan.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be at 2:30 pm, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Avenue in Shelby. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:30 that afternoon at Harris Funeral Home. Interment to follow at Benona Township Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Bob's family suggests donations to Harbor Hospice, 1050 W. Western Ave., Suite 400, Muskegon, MI 49441, or https://harborhospicemi.org/contact.

Harris Funerl Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements.

www.harrisfhome.com