HUNSTEIN KENNETH BAUMAN
June 29, 1932 – Jan. 10, 2024
In his own words, Hunstein Kenneth “Ken” Bauman wrote:
I have gone – permanently – but please don’t fret as I have been wonderfully healthy and active into my nonagenarian (91+) years, although a diagnosis of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) in my 92nd year has somewhat shortened my wonderful life. Now only God and I know if I have gone “to a better place.”
According to population experts, those of us who were born in the 1930-1946 period are part of the smallest group born since the early 1900s and in 2024 we are now between 78 and 94 years old, having out-lived 99% of our peer group. I say that I am in the “fourth and final quarter of my life” because on looking back, I have observed that my life has been divided into four approximately 20-30 year periods (or quarters, like a North American football game) with each period coincident with the wonderful women then prominent in my life as well as my many other friends and acquaintances.
The FIRST QUARTER in my game of life encompassed a period of economic depression and eventual recovery. I was protected from those vagaries by the love and care of my parents. Four years later, my sister Helen joined our family. My post-secondary years consisted of two years at Waterloo College (now Wilfrid Laurier University) which prepared me for two years at the (now Richard Ivey) School of Business at the University of Western Ontario (now Western University) in London, Ontario where I obtained an HBA Degree in June, 1955.
The SECOND QUARTER of my life began in June of 1955, with my first full-time job with Canadian General Electric. Marriage in early 1956 to Gale Wills of Kitchener, Ontario produced two wonderful children – daughter Vicki Gale Evans, now retired in Los Angeles, California, and son Douglas Kenneth Bauman, now coping with advanced Multiple Sclerosis (which ended a promising piano/music career) at a care home in Victoria B.C.. Granddaughter, Lindsay Evans also resides in Los Angeles, California with her partner Nick Lanata and their son (my great-grandson) Vincent. Sister Helen married Thomas Powell on May 24, 1958 and they have three children – Richard (and Kathy) Powell of Cardinal, Ontario, Sandra Snowden (Mark) of Kitchener, and Susan (Jeff) Dyck of Conestogo. Each couple has two children.
My THIRD QUARTER began in 1974 with an unfortunate separation (and later divorce). However, I was later introduced to Betty Thompson (through a blind date arranged by long-time friends) and we became “an item” for the next five years, until marrying in June, 1979 (when I also acquired three step-daughters: the late Susan Pinsonneault, Pat Thompson-Brewin and Judy Thompson. Miss Betty’s work was on CKCO-TV’s Romper Room. Curling and tennis became my sports of choice in my early teens, both of which I enjoyed throughout my life. I was treasurer of the Waterloo Tennis Club in the mid-1970s and, because of my competitive curling experience, I was elected president of the KW Granite Curling Club in 1972-73 and went on to become president of the KW Athletic Association (which operated the Granite Club building) in 1977-78. Betty’s breast/bone cancer unfortunately ended her life on April 9, 1994 – less than four years after the diagnosis.
The FOURTH and final QUARTER began in 1995 (with overtime a definite possibility) with the renewal of an earlier social friendship with MaryLou Thompson-Westman of Teeswater and Hanover. Our marriage on Jan. 1, 1995 introduced seven more step-children and 10 step-grandchildren to my family: Gail (and Michael) Walden (Erica and Lucas) of Kincardine, Sandra Thompson (Brin and Riley) of Mississauga, Christine (and Dan) Reio (Olivia and Jackson) of Mississauga, Phillip (and Lynda) Thompson (Cameron and Andrew) of Teeswater, Julie (and Mike) Pootmans (Alex and Jack) of Tottenham, Ontario, Steve (and Angela) Westman (Jessica and Nicole), Lisa (and Jose) Olmedo (Isabela and Erik) as well as sister-in-law Greer Dunlop of Toronto.
Aircraft and automobiles have always been among my interests, although I have never been mechanically inclined. In 1967, I undertook my personal Centennial project of obtaining my private pilot’s license. I later acquired a white 1976 MGB (convertible) sports car in 1977– which I still own and operate after 47 years. MaryLou assists the local Amish community with some of their transportation needs, many whom we have developed friendships with that we both deeply cherish.
Pets have also been a happy part of my life. MaryLou reintroduced me to the world of cats and dogs with Beau, her brown Lab, and her cat Jasmine. Since then, we have enjoyed rescue cats Jazz, Coco, Dali, Dunk, Mick, Pierre, Sarah, Now Maltese sister dogs Molly and Milly along with Amish rescue cats Lizzy, Normy, Pierre, Pietra, Willy and Winny, which along with many aquarium and backyard pond fish, comprise our animal family.
Throughout my recent health issues, I have appreciated the excellent help and support of the local medical organizations as well as from many friends and family. I sincerely thank you all.
With your donations, please remember the South Bruce Health Centre – Kincardine’s Hospital Foundation as it seeks $18 million for further hospital expansions as well as a new MRI suite.
A memorial service to honour Ken’s life was held at the Davey-Linklater Funeral Home, Kincardine at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, with Ann Maycock officiating.
Final resting place: Pine River Cemetery.
Portrait and memorial available online at www.daveylinklaterfuneral