Robert Charles Bauer, 51, of Mount Prospect, Illinois, passed away on August 19, 2025, at Endeavor Health Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Holy Spirit Parish, Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Rev. Raymond Burkle officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque. A continued celebration of life will follow the burial at Happy’s Place starting at 3:00 p.m. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, is assisting the family.

Robert was born on October 14, 1973, in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Jeffrey C. and Kathleen (Zimmerman) Bauer. Rob graduated from Hempstead High School class of 1992 and continued his education at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), Iowa State University and University of Dubuque, and earned his Masters of Business Administration at Webster University. He was the fleet & safety manager at Empire Cooler Services Inc. in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Our beloved Rob was an avid fisherman and photographer who found peace and beauty in nature. Whether it be on Lake D’Arbonne in Farmerville, Louisiana, up north in Wisconsin, on the mighty Mississippi, or deep-sea fishing in the Gulf, he found the thrill of the catch. When he’s not casting a line, he loves to capture the beauty of soaring majestic birds over the water. Rob also paddled with Solid Steel Dragon Boat Team in Dubuque. Even though he went to Iowa State University, he was a devoted Hawkeyes fan. His integrity is evident in how he approached all aspects of his life by being trustworthy, dependable, and loyal to family, friends and coworkers. He may have been soft spoken, but his selfless acts of kindness and generosity spoke louder than words.

Those left to cherish the memory of Rob include his mother and stepfather Kathy (Earl) Brimeyer of Dubuque Iowa, his sister Kristi (Joey) Fink of Rotonda West, Florida, his nephew Jacob Fink of Huntsville, Alabama, his niece Samantha Fink of Rotonda West, Florida, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father Jeff Bauer, his grandparents Charles and Marie Bauer, and Eugene “Zuke” and Elaine Zimmerman.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to Rob’s memorial fund to be used for a memorial bench and other expenses.

A special thanks to the staff at Northwest Community Hospital Neuro team in Intensive Care Unit and surgery located in Arlington Heights, Illinois.