Joseph “Joe” Bauman

Joseph Bauman, age 75, died at home on October 12, 2015. The funeral and visitation will be held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 6001 Bob Billings Drive, Lawrence, KS on Friday, October 16th. The visitation begins at 9:00 a.m. followed by the Mass of Resurrection at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will be served after the Mass. Inurnment will be held for the family at a later date.

Joe Bauman was born December 9th, 1939, the son of John and Theresa (Wauchek) Bauman in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

He is a 1957 graduate from Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, MO and a 1961 Mechanical Engineering graduate of the University of Kansas.

In 1963, he married Joanie Cusack of Kansas City who survives. They have 5 children, Mark (Co) Bauman of Kansas City, MO, Marsha (Jim) Britt of Neenah, WI, Mary (Tom) Foster of Middleton, WI, Molly (Don) Ward of Gladstone, MO and Meg (Mike) Roggero of Lawrence, KS. In addition he leaves 12 grandchildren Anna, Patrick, and Daniel Bauman, Anne, Molly, and Kate Britt, Adam, Joe, and Ben Foster, John Patrick Ward, and Marissa and Miles Roggero. He is survived by two sisters, Mary (Don) Yeats of Perth, Australia and Linda (John) Shumway of Camdenton, MO. Also many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Rev. William A. Bauman and John Bauman.

Joe first worked at Bendix Corp. in KC, MO. He was then employed by IBM for 25 years where he held various engineering and management positions. He continued as an executive as Plant Manager for the IBM Rochester facility, the IBM Director of Materials, and the IBM Director of Quality. A highlight of his career was participating in the task force that started the IBM Personal Computer and then becoming the Division Vice – President who led the manufacturing operation of the Personal Computer to become a multi- billion dollar business.

In 1990 Joe became dean of the University of Kansas School of Business and professor of Business. In 1998 he became CEO of Adams Business Forms and, after a merger, CEO of Cardinal Brands, Inc. Cardinal Brands was sold to RR Donnelly in 2007.

After retirement, Joe learned to play the piano and continued his lifelong love of playing tennis. He served on advisory boards in support of KU School of Engineering and the KU School of Business. He was recognized by the KU Mechanical Engineering Department as a Distinguished Alumnus and the School of Engineering with the Distinguished Engineering Service Award. He also served on boards in support of Corpus Christi Catholic Church and school in Lawrence. He was on the Finance Council of the Catholic Arch-Diocese of N.E. Kansas.

He was a wonderful husband to Joanie; they loved the adventure of moving, seeing new places, and raising a big family. His skills as a father to the 5 M’s were unmatched. The adventures started at Oxbow Park in Minnesota and were followed with mountain trips, (Colorado) beach trips (Florida) and lake trips (Minnesota). His grandchildren meant the world to him— he loved sharing wisdom with them about life, business, and his faith.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to Carcinoid Cancer research at Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street S. W. Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 6001 Bob Billings Pkwy., Lawrence, KS 66049, KU School of Engineering or KU School of Business or may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

We also thank the Douglas County VNA/ Hospice team for wonderful care.