Peter J. Bauman

Even though Peter had more energy than people half his age, countless times he was caught “just resting his eyes” when he had the chance. So, it is with unbelievable sadness that our family mourns the final resting of a much beloved son, brother, husband, father and Grandpa. Peter J. Bauman, known to many as Pete, peacefully passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2024 in his Wimberley, Texas home surrounded by family. It will come as no surprise to those who knew him, that he remained stoic, kind, courageous and even humorous during his five-month battle with lung cancer.

Peter was born on November 21, 1958 in Marshfield, to Donna and James Bauman. His love for engineering was evident at a young age as Peter dismantled toys to see how they worked. His childhood summers were spent swimming at the community pool or at the family cottage on Squaw Lake in Lac du Flambeau. Peter became an accomplished swimmer who competed at the national level for the University of Wisconsin-Stout, where he earned his degree in industrial technology and construction management, so it is no surprise that he worked for Cherne and Kiewit, both large scale industrial engineering/construction companies. He had a positive impact on all who knew and worked with him during his 43 years as a project and area manager, and he had an insatiable curiosity and ability to calmly solve complex problems.

Peter excelled at any game he played, winning so easily that he often allowed others to win to keep it fun. He was an early morning riser who drank his coffee black, liked the thermostat set at 67 degrees, was a huge Packers’ fan, made the best homemade sausage gravy and lived each day to the fullest. He was patient, kind, a good listener and a man of few words who didn’t miss a thing! He enjoyed sharing time with his family and dear friends and they equally enjoyed his humor and stories about his life adventures (catching Halibut in Alaska) or explanations on how something worked and/or could be repaired. He especially cherished time spent with his wife, children and grandchildren.

Peter is survived by his wife Gretchen (Allen) Bauman and five children; Sarah (Steve) Norquist of Hastings, Minn., Joshua Bauman of Colorado Springs, Colo., Amanda Bauman of Star Prairie, Elizabeth Bauman of Eagan, Minn. and Emily Briley of Germantown, Ill.; mother Donna (Peterson) Bauman of Lac du Flambeau, brother Michael (Sandra) Bauman of Manitowoc, sister Jean (Daniel) Rude of Lac du Flambeau, sister Ann (Mark) Mapes of Minocqua, and brother John (Bonnie) Bauman of Plover; and eight grandchildren Derrick, Teagan, Veronica, Jillian, Gentri, Mason, Annabel and Allister, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father James T. Bauman and grandson William Lissy.

A celebration of life ceremony will take place in Minneapolis, in the spring. In the meantime, Peter would assuredly want you to enjoy some quality time outdoors or gather with loved ones around a table to play a game, share some laughter and love while you think of him.