QUINCY — Father Roy Bauer, 83, a long-time priest of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, died late in the evening on April 21, in Blessing Hospital.
Father Bauer was born in Quincy on March 27, 1934, the son of Albert and Irene (Hummel) Bauer. As a child, he attended St Francis Grade School.
At age 13, he felt the calling to become a priest, and left to attend St. Henry Preparatory Seminary in Belleville, where he spent his high school years. After high school he spent two years studying at the Diocesan Latin School. He then completed his education at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein. He was ordained May 23, 1959 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception by Bishop William A. O’Connor.
As a newly ordained priest Father Bauer first served as a parochial vicar at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Springfield (1959 to 1963), and then continued the same ministry at St. Thomas Parish in Decatur (1963 to 1967), and at St. Anthony Parish in Effingham (1967 to 1971). In 1971 he was appointed pastor at St. Norbert’s Parish in Hardin and at the same time served as parochial administrator to three other parishes in Calhoun County: St. Anselm in Kampsville, St. Michael in Michael, and St. Agnes in Belleview. He served in those parishes until 1985. His final assignment before retirement was coming back home to Quincy in 1985 as the pastor of St. Peter Parish, where he stayed for almost 20 years.
In the bicentennial year of 1976, Father Bauer put together a trip to Washington, D.C., for eighth-grade students in Calhoun County. After being transferred to Quincy, he continued the trips with the St. Peter’s eighth grade class. He had continued to make the trip for 40 years. The adult chaperones on the trip were often as impressed as the students with the knowledge they gained with Father Bauer as their guide. He made an impact on the lives of around 2,000 people who enjoyed these trips with him.
Father Bauer was an historian, and has put together many records of the history of the Springfield diocese, and the Catholic Church in the Quincy area.
After retirement in 2004, he continued to work. He was a chaplain on cruise ships, and he also helped fill in for priests when they were away from their parishes, many of them across the river in Missouri. He taught religion classes, and he continued to research and write about the local Catholic history. He was most involved in finding facts to promote the canonization of Father Augustus Tolton, the first black priest in the United States, ordained in 1886, who was a priest at St. Peter and is buried in Quincy. One book written by Father Bauer was They Called Him Father Gus, the story of Father Tolton’s life.
Father Bauer was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Milt Bauer along with his wife Ruth, and one sister, Rita Hull.
He is survived by one brother, Leo (Mary) Bauer of Fowler. He is also survived by nephews and nieces, Dan Bauer, Jim (Margaret) Bauer, Paul Bauer, Terry (Becky) Bauer, Dave(Patty) Bauer, Kathy (Steve) Boll, Pat (Ross) Glidewell, Karen Bauer, Cindy Cobb, Chris Hull, and Jennifer (Tod) Cunningham, all of Quincy; Suzi (Dominic) Lacich, Columbus, Ohio; Zack (Chantelle) Hull, Odessa, Mo.; and Tom Hull, Austin, Texas. He is also survived by many great-nephews and great-nieces.
A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial took place on April 26 at 11 a.m. in the Church of St. Peter. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers or other memorials, Masses are requested. The Mass stipends will be given to retired priests and priests serving in the mission fields. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.