Richard Bauer

Bauer, Richard Robert, age 82, passed away August 23, 2019 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.  He passed peacefully with his family by his side at the hospital.

Richard married his childhood sweetheart Donna Kragness, on June 11, 1960.  They were married for 57 years before she passed away in 2017. They were blessed with 5 children and 5 grandchildren, who will miss him dearly.

Richard grew up in Minneapolis and studied at the U of M for 2 years. He chose to pursue his passion for flying and joined the Navy.  He became fighter pilot flying an F8 Crusader.  His passion was awarded with being honored as the Top Naval Aviation Cadet of 1960.

Following his naval career, Richard became a commercial pilot with Braniff Airlines until their bankruptcy in 1982. Richard, along with a group of former Braniff pilots and flight attendants, founded Sun Country Airlines in January 1983.  He flew with Sun Country until his retirement in 1997.

Rick, Dick, Dad or Grandpa, depending on how you knew him, was always a jokester who usually got the last laugh.  He loved playing golf, and enjoyed summers up at the cabin and winters in Arizona. Although he did not wear his emotions on his sleeve, he was a compassionate man and his love for his family was without question.

Richard was proceeded in death by wife Donna; parents John and Barbara; brother’s John “Jack”, Leroy, Clem and sister Eunice. Survived by daughters Cheryl, Christine (Shane) Colbern, Debra (Scott) Gaertner; sons Daniel and David (Jodie); grandchildren Lucas, Christopher, Alicia, Jackson and Olivia; brother Raymond.

Memorial Service:  Thursday September 26, 2019. Visitation at 10:00 am, with funeral service to follow at 11:00 at Bradshaw Funeral Home 3131 Minnehaha Ave, Mpls followed by a luncheon and a final Military Salute at Fort Snelling National Cemetery 7601 34th Avenue S, Minneapolis at 1:45pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s Assoc.