Obituaries : * Francis Joseph Bauer, 78; Outdoorsman

Francis Joseph Bauer, an avid Simi Valley outdoorsman who each spring toured Joshua Tree National Monument with his wife to see the wildflowers in bloom, has died following a brief illness. He was 78.

Although born in Philadelphia, he moved to Minneapolis and lived there with his family until 1961, said his daughter, Nancy Lawrence of Lake Forest, Calif.

In 1962, the family moved to Simi Valley because it was picturesque, Lawrence said.

“He had always loved the beauty of nature,” she said. She said her father worked for 26 years as a superintendent for Hires Root Beer in Minnesota, and then worked for various bottling companies once the family came to California.

Lawrence said her father was a vigorous and dedicated hiker, who was very active until just about a year ago, when he was diagnosed with cancer.

“He had a real love for ducks and nature,” she said. “He was very artistic and, at one point, was carving and painting these wonderful wood (duck) decoys.”

Lawrence said she remembered solitary outings with her father as a child, either to fish or hunt pheasants.

“I remember going fishing with him--just he and I by the stream,” she said. “That was real special. He was a tender, gentle and quiet man.”

In addition to his daughter, Bauer is survived by his wife, Carmelita; another daughter, Patricia Anast of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; sisters Elizabeth McWilliams and Helen Doyle; brothers John and Joseph Bauer, and five grandchildren.

There will be no visitation. Services are tentatively scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Simi Valley Adventist Church. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, Chatsworth.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dorcas Society, through Simi Valley Adventist Church.