Robert Dennis Bauer, 78, of Harpers Ferry, WV, passed away on Friday, December 15, at Hospice of the Panhandle after a brief illness.

Bob was born on August 15, 1945, in Lorain, Ohio to William and Matilda (Meyers) Bauer. He was a 1963 graduate of Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst, Ohio. After graduation, he joined the Navy and was stationed in Pensacola, FL, Edinburgh, Scotland, and Winter Harbor, ME.

He returned to Ohio in 1971 and moved to West Virginia in 1987. Bob worked as an air traffic controller for 35 years in Oberlin, Ohio and Leesburg, Virginia. In his retirement, he served with the Harpers Ferry Bolivar District Veterans.

Known to his friends as Pops, Bob loved traveling the world with his wife, exploring various creeks and rivers, making playlists from a wide variety of music, going on cruises with friends, yelling at the Cleveland Browns, and playing with his dog Sunny.

He is survived by his children Tracey Maxwell (Jim) of Berea, OH, Karyn Calaway (Scott) of West Salem, OH , Thomas Bauer of Ellsworth, ME, Jacquelyn Phillips (Kevin) of Norristown, PA; grandchildren Charlie, Elizabeth, Abigail, Henry, Elyza, and Kevin; sister Marilyn Selman; and his beloved 2004 Mercury Marauder.

He is preceded in death by his devoted wife, Irene, his parents, and siblings Norma and William.

Visitation only will be held at 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Saturday, January 13 at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home in Harpers Ferry and will be followed by a reception.