Merle Chester Bauer passed away February 3, 2013. Merle was born October 3, 1923 in Wichita, KS and grew up in Harper, KS, to which he dragged his family once or twice a year despite their protests. He was on the destroyer-minesweeper USS Southard in the Pacific during World War II. His ship was hit by a kamikaze but Merle was able to cobble together a fix to get the ship to port. He loved people and had a wonderful sense of humor(mostly bad). As he got older and more forgetful, he wrote all those bad jokes on a note card and carried them in his shirt pocket. Woe be to anyone he stopped for he would read the entire note card to them. After he retired, he went weekly to dances since the women didn’t have many partners. He also had monthly jaunts with his son Randy going to such scenic spots as the Washing Machine Museum. Merle was a Design Engineer and worked for Texas Instruments for 36 years. He helped design the first smart bombs. Proceeding him in death were his parents John and Maggie Bauer, and sisters Marie, Verna and Dorothy. He is survived by his beautiful wife of 64 years Delores Tomecek Bauer, son Randy Bauer (wife Cathy), daughter De Ann Siebert (husband Rus), and grandsons Justin Bauer (wife Beverly) and Nicolas Siebert. He was one of the Bachman Bunch, the first 100 members of the Walnut Hill United Methodist Church, and was an active member in the Harmony Class. His favorite poem was Desiderata which Merle recited to the Class several times. Merle thought flowers were a waste of money so, if you choose, please make a contribution to the Walnut Hill United Methodist Church, 10066 Marsh Lane, Dallas, TX 75229. The Family will receive friends from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W. Northwest Hwy., Dallas, TX on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. A Graveside Service will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery on Wednesday, February 6, 2012 at 9:30 am with Memorial Service at 11:00 am, Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at Walnut Hill United Methodist Church with Dr. Andy Stoker officiating. Online condolences may be made at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com.