William H. Bauer

UNADILLA -- William H. Bauer passed away unexpectedly at his home Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009, at the age of 75.

Bill was born Nov. 20, 1934, in Adams, Mass., but spent most of his childhood in Unadilla. After graduating from Unadilla Central School in 1952, Bill attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, where he earned a BS degree in engineering and was a member of the Phi Mu Delta and Alpha Phi Omega National Service fraternities. Bill received his Master Degree in Geology from the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo. Bill lived in numerous locations across the United States during his 32 years of employment as a geologist with Standard Oil which became Amoco.

Upon his retirement, Bill returned to his childhood home in Otsego County.

Bill was predeceased by his father, William S. Bauer, and mother, Alida Clark Bauer. He is survived by first cousin, Chloe F. Martin of San Mateo, Calif., and first cousins once removed, Emily Walker of Daytona Beach, Fla., and Charles Martin of Paso Robles, Calif., and Raymond Freeman of Boston Mass.

Bill began collecting stamps as a youth and he continued to pursue Philately passionately throughout his life. Bill was actively involved in the American Philatelic Society for over 35 years and served in many capacities including president from 1981 to 1983. Bill was a founding member and Vooys Fellow of the American Philatelic Research Library and served as trustee for over 12 years.

In 1987, he received the Luff Award, the highest honor given by the APS to living collectors. Bill was among the original group of nationally accredited judges in 1971. Bill traveled throughout the world judging local, national and international stamp exhibits. While pursuing his interest in Colorado postal history he became a founding supporter of the Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library and the Colorado Postal History Society.

With dear friends, Jim Ozment and Jack Willard, Bill collaborated in publishing a definitive book on the Post Offices of Colorado in 1971, and a second edition in 1989. At the time of his passing, Bill had nearly completed work on an exhaustive history of Colorado Postal system, the culmination of countless trips to past and present post office sites throughout the state.

Upon his retirement in Unadilla, Bill became highly involved in the community. Bill is a past president and Paul Harris Fellow in the Unadilla Rotary Club and served as secretary at the time of his passing. He was a founding member of the Unadilla Historical Association and was an Eagle Scout and senior member of Unadilla Boy Scout Troop No. 1. Bill was also a member of the Tri-County Stamp Club of Sidney, the New York State Historical Society, and the Otsego County Historical Association.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at the Unadilla Community Center, 246 Main St., Unadilla.

There will be no calling hours.

A private burial will be held in the Sand Hill Cemetery in Unadilla.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's name to the American Philatelic Society, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823-1367, the Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library, 2038 South Pontiac Way, Denver, CO 80224, or the Unadilla Historical Association, P.O. Box 808, Unadilla, NY 13849.