Dr. Robert Louis Bauer

Robert L. Bauer M.D., who most desired to be remembered as “an olde country doctor,” died at the age of 93 on Sunday, January 25, 2015.  He was born in Chester, PA on December 16, 1921, to Louis and Jane Bauer.  He is predeceased by his loving wife of 65 years Jane (Parker) Bauer.

Graduating from Chester Public Schools, Dr. Bauer attended Ursinus College and Temple University School of Medicine.  Following internship at Bryn Mawr Hospital he entered the U.S. Navy and served as Flight Surgeon for the U.S. Navy Air Group 8, Atlantic Fleet.

His practice of Family Medicine began in Intercourse, PA in 1949 where the family lived for 20 years.  He and two other physicians established the first Department of Family Medicine in the nation at the Penn State Medical Center in Hershey, PA in 1967 where he taught and practiced.  Relocating to the Outer Banks of N.C. he was one of the first practitioners at Outer Banks Medical Center and established the new programs for the Dare County Health Department in school health, and pediatric and mental health, as well as a visiting nurse program.  Returning to Palmyra, PA in 1977 he continued practicing family medicine until his retirement in 1986.

Dr. Bauer was an active member of First United Methodist Church, Palmyra,  and a long time Sunday School teacher there.  He was a Diplomat of the American Board of Family Medicine, a member of the American Medical Association, the Pennsylvania Medical Society and the Lebanon County Medical Society.  Upon retiring he continued to enjoy his many loves, gardening, bird watching, traveling, and volunteering.

He is survived by his daughters, Janette Rowe, Doryth Deisley, Nancy Byrne, and Carol Lynn Bauer; 9 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and 2 sisters, Carolyn McCray and Nancy Wolfgang.  His daughter Robin Sue Bauer preceded him in death in 1974.

A memorial service will be held at the DiMatteo Worship Center at the Lebanon Valley Brethren Home, 1200 Grubb Rd., Palmyra on Saturday, January 31st at 2:30 PM.  Friends and family are invited for visitation from 1 PM until time of the service.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Rothermel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 25 W. Pine St., Palmyra 17078.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Lebanon Valley Brethren Home Good Samaritan Fund or to Hospice of Central Pennsylvania, 1320 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg 17110.

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