Paul J. Bauermeister
Paul J. Bauermeister died on Sunday, September 11, 2022 after living for many years with his beloved wife Jeannette, who passed on All Saints Day, November 2, 2014.
Paul was born to the Reverend John Bauermeister and Elsie Bauermeister (née Ulmer) into a Lutheran parsonage in 1930 and grew up in California with his sisters Ruth and Joan. He enjoyed summers at Yosemite National Park while his Dad was a visiting pastor at Yosemite Chapel.
His family moved to Chicago where he finished high school. He was awarded a Navy scholarship and studied engineering at the University of Illinois before transferring to St. John’s College in Kansas where he met his soon-to-be wife, Jeannette Voertman. They married in 1954. He graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, was ordained and served as a hospital chaplain in Indianapolis and as an inner city mission pastor in St. Louis. Following seven years of pastoral ministry, he earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Minnesota. He then served as teacher to clergy and counselor and later joined the faculty of Christ Seminary-Seminex in St. Louis and the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago.
Paul’s spirit will live on in his children and future generations: Michael Bauermeister, Benjamin Bauermeister and Jo Bauen. Daughters-in-law: Gloria Attoun Bauermeister, Erica Bauermeister and Rebecca Bauen. Grandchildren: Ben Attoun Bauermeister, Zachariah Bauermeister, Rylan Bauermeister and Caitlin Vincent. Grandchildren in-law: Ashley Gerst, Anika Miller, Collin Vincent. Two great-granddaughters: Lucille Jo Vincent and Juniper Jean Bauermeister. Paul and Jeannette considered their family to be their best gift to the world.
Paul was a supporter and encourager of other people’s passions and callings. He had a deep and sincere laugh and looked people in the eye. He was a storyteller, a listener, poet, advisor, road-tripper (at age 85), sunflower-gardener, lawn man, tinkerer, scooter repairer, expert cleaner-upper, can-doer, sculptor, car aficionado, fixer, vintner, mechanic, mountain climber, teacher, underdog-advocate, chocolate & shrimp-lover, Jeopardy watcher, dear friend, a celebrator of family, and all-around good human. He will be missed and will live on in our stories and memories.
Paul’s Celebration of Life Service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 14088 Clayton Road, Chesterfield, (636-227-5432) on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 10 a.m. Following the Service, a reception will be offered in the church hall.
In place of flowers, donations are requested to Bread for the World, www.bread.org, 425 3rd Street SW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20024.