Obituary of Theodor Bauer

May 19, 1933 - Korntal, Bessaraba, Ukraine
October 25, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Theodor (Ted) Bauer, beloved husband of Irene Bauer (nee Todesco), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at the age of 90 years.

Ted was born in Korntal, Bessaraba, Ukraine on May 19, 1933, he immigrated to Canada when he was 19 years old. Ted said moving to Canada and becoming a Canadian was the best decision he ever made, and he said that Canada is the best country in the world. He landed in Montreal before moving out west to the prairies where he initially worked on his uncle’s farm. Ted had varied careers including farming, gold mining and logging in Hinton Alberta in the winters. He ended up in Calgary where he worked for the City of Calgary, initially as a garbage collector, “sanitation engineer” and retired as a Foreman/Supervisor. Ted completed his high school diploma at night school, and in later years enjoyed taking Spanish lessons.

Near Odessa, during World War II, the family escaped to the west of Europe travelling through Poland and finally into Eastern Germany for the remainder of the war. He often told of laying in the poppy fields with his siblings watching bombers go overhead. His entire family escaped East Germany prior to the Berlin wall being built.

During his lifetime he planted many trees in Europe and Alberta. Returning to East Germany in the early 90’s, he found all the beautiful trees he planted as fully grown. Ted was the original tree snuggler! He was an avid gardener, planting the seeds of life and always grooming his flowers. He was interested and well read in all of the natural sciences, geology, weather, oceanography and astronomy. Late in his senior years he took up bee keeping and produced amazing honey. Ted loved camping where one of his highlights was a trip where Ted and his wife Irene drove their camper up to Alaska and back. He was always interested in engineering and the history of the Panama Canal, which Ted and Irene cruised through. Ted spent many days at the family cabin that he built with his own hands. Many fond family memories from the cabin; ice fishing, sailing, gardening, and being surrounded by good friends and neighbours.

Beside his loving wife Irene Bauer, Ted is survived by daughter Fern Slotboom (Sig) of Calgary; and his son Brent Bauer (Brenda) of Edmonton; and his four grandchildren, Mark Slotboom, Megan Slotboom, Claire Slotboom of Calgary, and Carlee (Reiner) Bauer of Edmonton. He is also survived by his sisters, Gertrude Lange and Hilde Boss; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Ted was predeceased by his parents Jonathan and Berta Bauer and his siblings Arthur Bauer, Elenore Konig and Anna Sulz. 

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Ted’s family here.

In living memory of Theodor Bauer, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes.