KENT—Robert “Bob” Hallock Bauer, 98, of Kent, entered into the gates of Heaven on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, at Candlewood Valley Health & Rehabilitation Center in New Milford. He was the loving husband of Josephine (Cocilovo) Bauer.
Bob was born in Kingston, R.I., on May 7, 1925, son of the late Frederick and Bertha (Hallock) Bauer. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946 during World War II, at the rank of ensign (this rank is just below lieutenant and above a non-commissioned petty officer or midshipman) and was the oldest World War II veteran in the town of Kent.
He graduated from Yale University in 1948 with a Bachelor’s Degree in mechanical engineering. He started his engineering career with Robertson Bleachery & Dye Works in New Milford. In 1957 he advanced to Scovill Manufacturing and later Century Brass, and in 1979 took a position with Kero-Sun Inc. in Kent, the largest manufacturer of portable kerosene heaters.
Bob was active in local government and served on the Board of Selectmen in Kent from 1980 to 1988. He was also chairman of its sewer commission from 1980 to 1992 and served as the zoning enforcement officer in New Milford from 1988 to 1993.
He was a loyal 57-year member of the Kent Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as fire chief from 1975 to 1980. He drove school buses for Region District 1 from 1993 until 2008. He was a member of the St. Luke’s Mason Lodge No. 48 and the American Legion Hall-Jennings Post 153, both in Kent.
He was a longtime member of the Kent Congregational Church. He was an avid hockey and UConn women’s basketball fan.
Besides his wife Josephine of 74 years, he leaves to honor and cherish his memory a daughter, Paula Cicchetti and her husband Joseph, of Woodbury; a son, Robert Hallock Bauer, Jr. and his wife Nancy, of Flower Mound, Texas; two grandchildren, Carla Martinelli-Barry of Oakville (and Daniel Barry of Woodbury), and Jessica Rollman and her husband Rob, of Hickory, N.C.; three great-grandchildren, Gianna Barry, Colin Barry and C.J. Cervantes; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Frederick W. Bauer.
A memorial service with cremains present will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Kent, 97 N. Main St., Kent, CT 06757, followed by military honors. Spring burial will be in Good Hill Cemetery in Kent.
Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with Bob’s arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Bob’s memory to: Kent Volunteer Fire Department Inc., 28 Maple St., P.O. Box 355, Kent, CT 06757; or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306.
For more info or to send e-condolences, visit chaseparkwaymemorial.com.
