Frederick T. Bauer, 79, of Terre Haute passed away Sunday evening, October 4, 2015 in Union Hospital. He was a prominent attorney for many years in the Terre Haute area. Fred was born December 29, 1935 in Terre Haute to Lenhardt E. Bauer and Ethel Gross Bauer. Survivors include his wife, Victoria "Vickie" Phegley Bauer; two daughters, Annie Bauer of Terre Haute and Kristin Berghoff and her husband, Mike, of Indianapolis; a step-daughter, Teal Allen and her husband, Jason, of Terre Haute; and a son-in-law, Paul Gayso of Terre Haute. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Lauren Berghoff, Ellyn Berghoff, John Robert Berghoff, Michael F. Ward, Libby Ward, Nick Gayso and Bryce Tippy; a great-grandson, Jack; a brother-in-law, Paul Winegar and his wife, Gladys; the mother of his daughters, Elizabeth Matthew Cieciura; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Barbara J. Gayso; a brother, L. Eric Bauer; and a sister, Barbara A. Erwin. Fred was 1954 graduate of Wiley High School and attended Indiana University where he received his undergraduate degree in English followed by his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the I.U. School of Law. He served in the United States Army as a First Lieutenant working as a Judge Advocate General attorney at Fort Benning in Georgia. After his military service, Fred returned to Terre Haute to practice law with his father and brother. In 1963 he was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives. He served 10 years in the House under three governors. Fred was elected as House Majority Leader in 1965 and also as House Minority Leader in 1971. Fred was well known for his service to Union Hospital having served on the hospital Board of Directors for 47 years. While at Union, he served on the Ethics, Compliance and Personnel Committees as well as other committees. Fred was instrumental in the establishment of the Terre Haute Center of Medical Education that serves the local rural communities. He was a strong advocate for nursing education and was honored with the prestigious Baur Award in 2009. Public education was another long time priority and endeavor for Fred. In 1977, he was appointed to the Board of Higher Education where he served for 32 consecutive years and also served as chairman, and from 1983-2013 he served as the attorney for the Vigo County School Corporation. Fred was a 3-time recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash bestowed on him by three Indiana governors. He was also a Mason, earning his 32nd Degree with the Scottish Rite where he was Thrice Potent Master and later was honored with the 33rd Degree. Fred's community involvements included the Strawberry Hill Cannoneers, TREES, Inc., Terre Haute Social Masonic Lodge #86 F & AM, Scottish Rite Valley of Terre Haute and Zorah Shrine. He was a life-time member of the I.U. Alumni Association and was a member of the Terre Haute Bar Association and American Legion. He will be remembered by his family and friends as being a die-hard I.U. fan and for his love of nature and the great outdoors. The infamous bean and brat parties will be fondly remembered as well as his dry, witty sense of humor. He had a quiet nature but when Fred spoke people always listened. You could frequently find him at the Sycamore Club, or with his weekly lunch group "the judges" and other colleagues. He was known to say "Beer ....., it's not just a breakfast drink". Masonic Memorial services followed by 33rd Degree services are scheduled for 1:00 P.M. Saturday, October 10, 2015 in Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th Street, with Terre Haute Social Lodge #86 officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled prior to services on Saturday from 10:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. in the funeral home. Family and friends are also invited to a Celebration of Fred's Life from 1:00-3:00 P.M. on Sunday, Oct. 11th at the Sycamore Country Club, 200 Heritage Drive. The family kindly requests that memorial contributions may be made to TREES, Inc., P.O. Box 3683, Terre Haute, IN 47803 or to Union Hospital Foundation, 1606 North 7th Street, Terre Haute, IN 47804. Memorial contribution envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Funeral information may also be found at www.callahanandhughes.com.
