Charles D. Bauman

Charles D. Bauman, 83, died Tuesday Feb. 18, 2014 at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora. Following cremation, internment will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver. In keeping with Charlie's wishes, no services are planned. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the MaxFund Animal Adoption Center, Denver, Colorado. Charlie was born October 18, 1930 in Grand Island, Nebraska. In 1950 he volunteered for the US Army and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska for three years during the Korean War. Upon his return to Grand Island, he worked in a variety of jobs including at his father's B&M Service Station, where he discovered his lifetime interest in fixing vehicles. Charlie was active in the Grand Island Motorcycle Club and enjoyed road trips on his beloved Harley Davidsons as well as competing in hill climbs and other sporting events, the trophies from which graced the top of the family piano for years. He traveled with his club members to Sturgis, South Dakota for the early days of the well-known motorcycle rally there. On February 25, 1966 Charlie married Judy Koryta Broz, adopting her three children, Jennifer, Christopher, and Rosemary, soon thereafter. A year later the family welcomed a 4th child, Eric, and moved to the home they built in the new Grand Island subdivision near Capitol Heights. During this time Charlie worked as a mechanic and later as a truck driver for Rainbo Bakery. In 1969 the family realized their dream and bought 40 acres of farmland near St. Libory, Nebraska. Charlie was soon working nights as a mechanic specializing in repairing semi truck transmissions at Hansen International in Grand Island. During the days, he did many improvements around the farmstead, farmed the land, and even found time to restore two 1930s International Harvest tractors. During their years in St. Libory, Charlie and his family enjoyed their animal friends -- dogs, cats, horses, chickens, and even a couple of ducks. In 1993 after retiring from Hansen, Charlie and Judy embarked on the adventure of their life, buying a home in Grand Junction, Colorado. They'd spent the several previous years' vacation time scouting out possible retirement locations in the west and settled on Grand Junction as their ideal spot. In Grand Junction, Charlie worked part time in maintenance for Travelers Inn Motor Lodge and continued to enjoy tinkering in his workshop. Charlie was one of the last of the ""shade tree mechanic"" generation and had a great talent for fixing things. He continued to enjoy his animal friends there with his beloved dogs and cats, as well as befriending several horses and cows pastured behind their home. Charlie and Judy took numerous road trips throughout the west and southwest, particularly enjoying the region's spectacular National Parks, making good use of his Golden Eagle Passport. They also enjoyed exploring the beautiful land around Grand Junction, making numerous trips to the Colorado National Monument, the Grand Mesa, and beautiful spots such as Escalante Canyon. In 2009, Charlie and Judy moved to Denver to be nearer family members. They spent several happy years at the Homestead assisted living facility in Lakewood where they made good friends and explored a bit of city life. In 2013, they moved to the Colorado State Veterans Nursing Home at Fitzsimmons in Aurora, Colorado, where Judy continues to live. Charlie passed away quickly and peacefully. He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Ingabore Bauman of Grand Island, Nebraska. He is survived by his wife Judy (Aurora, Colorado), his sister Eleanore Kroeger (Onalaska, Texas), his children -- Jennifer Bauman (Lincoln, Nebraska), Christopher Bauman (Denver, Colorado), Rosemary Bauman (Albuquerque, New Mexico), Eric Bauman (Grand Island, Nebraska) -- and four grandchildren in Grand Island, Nebraska.