Obituary of Robert C. Bau

Robert C. “Bob” Bau, 78, of Northglenn, CO, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at Lutheran Collier Hospice Center in Wheat Ridge, CO.

Bob was born on May 3, 1945, in Huron, SD, the sixth child of Harry Bau and Anna Gehm Bau. During high school, he was able to use the Bau Implement License of his father’s business to buy and sell cars. Bob knew exactly what cars to purchase and how they could be spruced up and quickly sold to an interested customer. He graduated from Ramona High School, Ramona, SD, and from General Beadle State College, Madison, SD. He taught high school business classes in Emery, SD. Bob returned to Madison where he worked as a recruiter for the college and ran the Student Center and Student Dormitory, Higbie Hall. His interest in the car business eventually took him to Rapid City, SD, and finally to Denver.

After a time, he became a route salesman for Butternut Bread, and later, Wonder Bread. He had many customers with whom he had daily contact, and each one was special to him. After 27 years in the bread business, Bob began the best 14 years of his career by becoming a bus operator for the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver. His approach to his passengers was to genuinely greet each one as he or she got onto the bus, and to wish each one well when arriving at each one’s destination. He had a caring heart for his riders and we believe that the feelings were mutual!

Northglenn United Methodist Church has been important to our family for many decades. In addition to regular services, Bob certainly enjoyed the Wednesday and Thursday Men’s Coffee Groups. He rarely missed a gathering, and the groups have been in existence for more than twenty years. The friendships established with these men were cherished by him!

Bob was not only a professional driver, but he was a driver for every member of his immediate family, as well as his grandchildren, taking them to innumerable rehearsals for Colorado Children’s Chorale, skiing adventures to Winter Park, summer trips to Grand Lake, Estes Park, Casper, WY and Alcova Reservoir, and family vacations, including many frequent Bau Family Reunions in SD, etc. Bob was truly supportive of his family, and he was proud of the accomplishments of each one!

Survivors include his loving wife, Linda Bau, daughter, Brittany, son, Brian (Devony), grandchildren, Kinsley Bau and Keaton Bau, and former daughter-in-law, Mallory Bau; sisters, Martha Fischer of Salem, SD, Carol Haaland (Dan) of Gary SD; sisters-in-law, Marlene Bau, Madison, SD, and Carolyn Deuel, Casper, WY, and brother-in-law, Dana Deuel, Casper, WY, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Mary Grothe (Wayne), Alice Palmlund (Levi), Doris Freese (Harold), brother, Harry Bau, and brother-in-law, Duane Fischer.

Join the family for a Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Northglenn United Methodist Church, 1605 W 106th Ave, Northglenn CO 80234.

Memorial donations could be considered to Northglenn United Methodist Church or any other entity of the donor’s choice.