Russ was born in Lafayette, IN, the son of Russell and Clara (Vellinger) Bauman, who predeceased him. He is also pre-deceased by his step-father James Pool, sister Emily Hopkins and son Fred Baldwin.
Russ graduated from Wiesbaden High School in Wiesbaden, Germany, and received Bachelors and Masters degrees from Purdue University and Butler University respectively, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, who was a boat group commander in Vietnam. After naval services he was employed at Cummins Engine Company, in Columbus, Indiana where he was Director of Quality Control. Russ joined the brokerage industry in 1968 where he served as a Branch Manager for 40 years, finishing his brokerage career at David A. Noyes.
A former Jaycee President in Columbus, Russ was an Indianapolis Rotarian, a Kentucky Colonel, a member of the American Legion, UFW, and the Columbia Club as well as an avid reader and Purdue sports enthusiast; not to mention an admired joke and storyteller.
Russ is survived by his wife, Janice, who he was married to for 52 years and children Lori Smith, Rodney Baldwin, Russell J. Bauman, Christopher Bauman, and James Bauman (Jessica). He is also survived by sister Libby Corona (Arturo), 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
The funeral will be held at St. Pius Catholic Church on Monday, December 22nd at 11am, where he was a parishioner for 30 years. Visitation will begin at 10 AM. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Pius Parish.
Leppert Mortuary – Nora Chapel assisting with arrangements. To share a memory, please visit www.leppertmortuary.com.
