Richard "Sam" Bauch

Richard “Sam” Bauch, 80, passed away peacefully with his love beside him on November 15, 2018. Sam was born November 8, 1938, to Ronald (Hink) and Ada Bauch. He married Gloria Meyer August 1, 1964 at Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Barre Mills, WI.

Sam graduated from Logan High School and UW-La Crosse. Sam played baseball and basketball in high school. He loved to go to area baseball games whether high school, college or the Loggers.

Sam and Gloria moved to Chicago, IL where he worked for Goldsmith Chemical as a chemist for 5 years, Dacor Diving Company as a shipping Manager for 28 years and Avent Baby Bottling for 3 ½ years. Sam is a member at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, La Crosse WI. He was a self-taught folk artist and a talented painter and carver.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria; sister, Pat Jones; three nephews, Jeff (Maggie) Hauser, Joe (Dianne) Hauser, John  Hauser; five great nephews, Matthew (Anna) Isbell, Michael (Sue) Isbell, Josh (Devynne) Hauser, Jacob (Serena) Hauser, Luke Hauser; one great niece, Elizabeth Hauser; four great, great nephews, Nicholas Isbell, Atticus Isbell, Lochlan Isbell and Mohave Hauser; and one great, great niece, Madyson Isbell.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, John Jones; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Janice and Joe Hauser; mother and father-in-law, Elmer and Josephine Meyer; and nephew, Jason Hauser.

A funeral service will be held Monday, November 26 at 11 am at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 400 West Ave. So., La Crosse, WI. Pastor Richard Pamperin will officiate. Visitation will start at 9 am Monday and will go to the time of the service.

The family would like to thank his SpringBrook family and Gundersen Hospice for their loving care and prayers.

His Last Minute:
Sam was lying in bed unresponsive with Gloria sitting next to him as she had been doing for days. At the last minute Sam looked at her and was trying to say something, but his voice was too weak for words. Maybe a last goodbye, or I will see you again in heaven? He then reached his hand over to his bride of 54 years. Gloria took Sam’s hand and looked into his eyes with so much love as he took his last breath.