“It wasn’t just the poem; it was him,” District Governor Chris Waugh said of Martin “Marty” George Bauer.

“The presence, the warmth, the way he carried history, humor, and heart all at once. You could feel that this was a man who had lived fully and loved deeply,” DG Waugh continued. “When I visited the Grants Pass club and Marty stood up and recited that cowboy poem—from memory, no less—it stopped the room in the best possible way.”

On Monday, December 22nd, 2025, our fellow Rotarian “slipped his earthly bonds,” as his lifelong friend David Bassett said. “He is now riding his favorite steed, Digger, across the endless sky.”

As far back as 1964, when Marty served as Grants Pass High School student body president: “He always tried to make the world a better place. He was our touchstone, leader, confidant, trusted friend and companion for life,” Bassett said of the nine-time high school letterman. “Many love him in ways mere words cannot convey.”

“A self-professed hopeless romantic, Marty loved cowboy poetry, and all things Western. He built a Rogue River-view ranch replete with a horse and critter barn and the site of many wonderful gatherings of classmates and friends,” Bassett included photos (shared below) with his memories.

Marty returned home after graduating from Princeton in 1968 and developed real estate skills that provided medical, industrial and professional buildings for many years in both Medford and Grants Pass. Classmate river trips and regular gatherings created and sustained lifetime connections to his many friends and comrades. He absolutely helped hundreds of people through tough times.

Marty served for years in the Oregon National Guard. And, as a committed Rotarian, he Served Above Self for 50 years, including as the 1985-86 Grants Pass club president.

“As someone who was always supportive of his classmates, he came to my first meeting as the Port Orford Rotary Club president. He wanted to celebrate my being the sixth person from our Grants Pass Class of ‘64 to serve as a Rotary club president,” Bassett said. He also remembered DG Reece’s goal to raise more than $1 million for The Rotary Foundation that year.

“Marty kept faith in his heart, love in his beautiful brain, a song in his soul, and words of wisdom for all. His folks and mine are for sure hugging him now. And I know when my time comes, he will be right there, as always, leading the way,” David said in closing. “Vaya con Dios, hermano. You’ve got this!”

Friends, every last one of us has one thing in common: we have chosen a life of service.

May we too serve with so much joy and generosity that deep purposefulness and abiding friendships are the inevitable byproducts of our time and work together.

Marty, for those who never knew you, or met you only in passing, thank you for living such an inspired life. Your legacy reminds both friends and strangers of our highest ideals, and everything we can accomplish.

All photos shared by David Bassett of the Port Orford Rotary Club

News Source : https://rotarydistrict5110.com/a-life-well-lived/