Theodore "Ted" C. Bauer

Theodore Charles Bauer, 104, of Marietta, passed away October 21, 2026, at Marietta Heights Post Acute Nursing and Rehabilitation. He was born December 30, 1921, in Morgan County on the family farm on Poplar Ridge in Malta Township. He was the son of the late John G. and Mary (Heintz) Bauer.

After graduating from St. Mary High School, Ted was recruited to work at The Marietta Chair Factory, primarily because of his pitching arm and his ability to contribute to the company's competitive fast - pitch softball team.

On Sunday, December 7, 1941, Ted, then 19 years old, was walking past Marietta College when friends informed him of the attack on Pearl Harbor and America's entry into World War II. His friends had just enlisted at the college. Ted immediately went to enlist, but the recruiter was leaving and told him he was headed to Wheeling. The following day, Ted hitchhiked to Wheeling and enlisted.

After enlistment and aptitude testing, Ted was sent to the University of Jamestown in North Dakota, where he completed a number of specialized college courses. He was then assigned to advanced bombardier cadet school in Deming, New Mexico. Following graduation and his commission as a lieutenant in the Eighth Air Force, he joined a B-17 crew and trained in Sioux City, Iowa.

Ted was subsequently deployed to England, where he joined the 711th Squadron of the 447th Bomb Group in Rattlesden. As a bombardier aboard the B-17 Flying Fortress, a heavy bomber used extensively in the Allied campaign against Germany, he successfully completed 35 combat missions. While that accomplishment may sound straightforward, there were seven missions during which his aircraft returned severely damaged, limping back to base on fewer than four functioning engines. On one mission, the crew entered an uncontrolled spin after losing all four engines. At the last moment, the pilot successfully restarted one engine and regained control of the aircraft.

Following the war, Ted used the GI Bill to attend The Ohio State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism, and remained an avid Buckeye fan. He was hired by The Parkersburg News as a Marietta field reporter. In the days before electronic filing, he sent his stories to the newspaper by giving them to the Parkersburg-Marietta bus driver for delivery to the newsroom.

In 1953, Ted accepted a staff writer position with The Marietta Times, where he worked for 34 years and retired as Editorial Page Editor. His articles were widely enjoyed, and even after retirement he continued writing part-time, producing personal-interest and local-history stories for the newspaper.

Ted was an avid golfer. He was introduced to the game at age 11 when he and several neighborhood boys would wait at the corner of Seventh and Green Streets each Saturday morning, hoping to be picked up by golfers in need of caddies at the Marietta Country Club. He quickly developed a love for the sport and, as an adult, became a member of the club, where he enjoyed many years playing the game he cherished.

A scratch golfer during much of his golfing career, Ted won or placed in numerous tournaments throughout the region. His passion for the game led him and his friend, Bob Merritt, to open a driving range near the Marietta Country Club to serve local golfers. In 1970, the driving range was relocated to the Washington County Fairgrounds when Interstate 77 was routed through the original property. Ted and his wife, Ruth, operated the driving range for 66 years, from 1956 through 2022. Ted spent countless rewarding summer evenings helping both new and experienced golfers improve their swings and techniques.

Ted met Ruth Valentine in 1948, and they were married in 1950, sharing a loving partnership that lasted 74 years until Ruth's passing in 2024.

They were blessed with four children. He is survived by three: Cynthia (Ted) Winning, Rebecca (Jerry) Mills, and Mark (Julie) Bauer. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Deborah Miller.

Ted was also preceded in death by his siblings: Clara Baldwin, Katherine Siley, John G. Bauer Jr., Mary Margaret Pfeffer, Paul J. Bauer, Lela Schenkel, Josephine Wilson, and Rosemary Austin.

He is survived by eight grandchildren: Andrew Mills, Michael Mills, Elizabeth Hoffman, Jessica Miller, Bradley Bauer, Jared Bauer, Joshua Bauer, and Brandon Bauer; 13 great-grandchildren; and many special nieces and nephews.

Ted was a member of The Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption, the Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 64, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Marietta Country Club.

Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday October 26, 2026 at The Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption. Burial will follow in New St. Mary's Cemetery, with full military honors. Family will greet friends on Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Marietta Chapel of Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home.

Cawley & Peoples is honored to serve Ted's family and offers online condolences by visiting their website, www.CawleyandPeoples.com or by following their Facebook page.