Rosemary Bauer

Rosemary Bauer

( September 24, 1947 - November 13, 2018 )

Colonel Rosemary Bauer, US Air Force Nurse Corps, retired, age 71, of O’Fallon, Ill., slipped from her earthly bonds on November 13, 2018 with her sisters Bea and Bridget at her side at St Paul’s Home, Belleville Ill. Colonel Bauer was born September 24, 1947 in Boonville, Mo., to Frank and Isabella (nee Stoecklein) Bauer. She graduated from SS Peter and Paul Catholic High School, Boonville, Mo., in May 1965, and from St Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing, Kansas City, Mo. in June 1968. Rosemary worked at St Mary’s Hospital Kansas City, Mo. from 1968 to 1971, when she was commissioned in the US Air Force in May 1971. In addition to her nursing diploma from St Mary’s, she earned a BA in Social Psychology from Park College, Parkville, Mo., a BSN from St. Louis University, St Louis, Mo., and a MA in Public Administration from Brennau University, Gainesville, Ga. Colonel Bauer’s professional military education included Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College and Air War College. In her 30-year military career, she rose from staff nurse to two assignments as squadron commander. Colonel Bauer was a Chief Flight Nurse with 2700 flight hours in C-9A Nightingale, C-7A C-141A/B and C-130 aircraft. Being a flight nurse during the end of the Vietnam War era and during the repatriation of the POWs from Vietnam ranks highest of her proudest moments as a nurse.

Upon retirement from the Air Force in 2001, Colonel Bauer was decorated with the Legion of Merit. Additional decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the National Defense Medal the Southwest Asia Medal all with numerous devices. Colonel Bauer served assignments across the United States and the world; Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, Scott AFB, Ill., Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai AB, Thailand, Wiesbaden AB, Germany, Dobbins AFB, Ga., Keesler AFB, Miss., Incirlik AB, Turkey, with a final assignment at Barksdale AFB, La. While at Wiesbaden, she witnessed history when American hostages were released from Tehran, Iran for treatment at that American military hospital at Wiesbaden.

After military retirement, Rosemary was employed in her nursing profession with the American Red Cross, Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation health center in Granite City, Ill., and Heartland Home Healthcare. She finished her civilian career and 45 years of nursing service with a six year tour at John Cochran VA Medical Center, St Louis, Mo.

Rosemary was a long time member of St Nicholas Catholic Church, O’Fallon, Ill., where she sang with her beloved church choir. She was a member of Catholic War Veterans, Belleville, Ill., St Nicholas Parish’s Yesterday's Kids. Professional memberships include the Society of Air Force Nurses, where she was a founding member of the local area Nightingale chapter; the Air Force Med-Evac Association, the Air Force Association, and The Retired Officers Association.

Colonel Bauer was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Isabella Bauer.

Surviving are two sisters, Beatrice Bauer McKinzie (Mike) of Pilot Grove, Mo., and Retired Lt. Colonel Bridget Bauer, USAFR, Kansas City, Mo., a nephew Ryan McKinzie, of Smithton, Mo., a niece, Megan McKinzie-Santiago (Edgar) and two great nieces, Keeley Santiago and Keegan Santiago, of Farmersville, Tex. Also surviving are members of Rosemary’s extended family of aunts and cousins scattered across the country.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Nicholas Catholic Church, O’Fallon, Ill., St John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery Association of Clear Creek, Mo., and as offerings for Masses. The family wishes to recognize the legions of friends and medical professionals who cared for Rosemary over the past couple of years. Your kindnesses are beyond measure. Thank you!

Visitation: The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 8:00 pm, Sunday, November 18, 2018 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 625 St. Nicholas Dr., O’Fallon, Ill. The Catholic War Veterans and the Society of Air Force Nurses will make a presentation at 7:00 pm. Visitation will resume 10:00 am, Monday, November 19, 2018, at the church.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am, Monday, November 19, 2018 at the church, with Monsignor William J. Hitpas and Rev. Kenneth York, Chaplain of Catholic War Veterans, concelebrating. Full military honors will be rendered at the conclusion of the Mass.

A Scripture Service will be held at 1 pm, Wednesday, November 21, 2018 in her native parish of St John the Baptist, Clear Creek, Mo., with burial to follow at the church cemetery.

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