Russell Leroy Bausch

Russell Leroy Bausch, 85, passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2017, in St. Francis Hospice in Titusville, FL.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Grace Cauthon Bausch, of Titusville, FL; his sons, Russell Kim Bausch, of Titusville, FL, and Lanny Lee Bausch of Orlando, FL; daughter-in-law, Merrill A. Bausch, of Titusville, FL; his grandchildren – Juliana Grace Bausch of Orlando, FL, Lauren Elizabeth (Bausch) Akers of Leander, TX, Justin Bradley Bausch and Kristin Leigh Bausch of Orlando, FL; grandson-in-law, Jeremy Akers, of Leander, TX; step grandchildren, Rebecca Anne Rich of Titusville, FL, and Benjamin Peter Rich of Montclair, NJ. He leaves his siblings, Beverly Joan Southworth of Raymore, Michael Dennis Bausch of Cedar Springs, and Ava Marlene Phipps of El Dorado Springs; and beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family members. He was preceded in death by parents, Michael and Goldie Bausch; nephew, Barry Cummings, and many beloved aunts and uncles.

Russ was born on May 18, 1932, in El Dorado Springs, to Michael and Goldie Bausch. He worked on the family farm during his elementary and high school years. He graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1950 and became a member of the First Baptist Church of El Dorado Springs that same summer. After high school, Russ joined the U. S. Air Force and was assigned to the Second Radio Squadron in Darmstadt, Germany, as a Staff Sargent for three years, where he maintained DC and AC power supplies. When he returned home, he worked for a short time at the Produce Creamery in El Dorado Springs.

On Jan. 21, 1955, Russ married his high school sweetheart, Grace Cauthon. They moved to Lee’s Summit where Russ worked for the Bendix Atomic Energy Unit. In 1956 he enrolled at the University of Missouri in Rolla where his two sons were born. In 1960, after graduating with a B.S. in mechanical engineering, Russ accepted employment with the Boeing Company in Wichita, KS, where he worked on design and modification of the B-52 bomber aircraft.

Russ and Grace were active members of the First Baptist Church in Haysville, KS.

In 1963, he was transferred to Huntsville, AL, where Russ designed equipment which was used to check out hardware that was going to the moon. While in Huntsville, Russ was active in Indian Guides and church activities. In 1966, Russ transferred to Florida with Boeing as an electrical test engineer on the NASA Saturn V/Apollo program at Kennedy Space Center and was a member of the launch crew, maintaining DC power supplies and special batteries which furnished power to the Saturn V vehicle during ground testing and in flight.

In 1975, after the end of the Apollo moon missions, Russ and his family moved to Seattle, WA, where he worked for Boeing in offensive software development lab work for the B-1 bomber airplane. At the Boeing plant in Kent, WA, Russ worked on development of the Inertial Upper Stage which launched satellites into outer space.

In 1981, Russ transferred back to Florida and the Kennedy Space Center where he continued work with the Inertial Upper Stage associated satellites for NASA and the Air Force. He worked for Boeing for 33 years, retiring in June, 1993.

Russ’s hobbies included restoring cars, traveling, reading space related material and water skiing. Russ water skied with his son, Lanny, up to the age of 81 years old. He and Lanny were insulator collectors for many years and enjoyed district shows where they could buy, sell or trade insulators. He restored too many cars to count. He enjoyed playing bridge and won some trophies at local tournaments. He was an avid genealogist and published two books. One book was a genealogical history of his Bausch lineage and another book was about his maternal (Meade) family. He traveled to Europe to visit the sites of his ancestral lineage. He and his wife, Grace, traveled many summers in various states visiting courthouses and libraries for genealogy research. One six week journey took them across Canada, Nova Scotia, all through New England and Appalachia. They also traveled internationally, visiting 44 countries.

Russ was a man of many talents. He was an avid reader and enjoyed reading about history and religions. He was often seen reading the King James family Bible. He would take notes while he read and Grace often teased him by asking if he was planning to rewrite it anytime soon. Family guests were warned not to get him started on the Twelve Tribes of Israel or they would be in for a very long discussion.

Russ was very mechanically able and would help anyone if work needed to be done, such as installing roofs, doors, windows, painting houses, fixing cars, laying tile, etc. In the late 60’s, he helped to build the steeple for the Southwest Baptist Church (now Community Church) in Titusville. The steeple was assembled in his garage in Titusville.

Russ loved his family dearly. He loved telling stories about his younger siblings and often spoke of how protective he felt of them. His patient and loving demeanor was evident as he taught his grandchildren many things, including how to water ski. He was most respectful and very detailed in his work and life. Everything had to be done just so. He was known for his kind and forgiving nature. He contributed to many charities. He was always willing to help out a friend, neighbor or family member. Russ was loved by all who knew him and will be deeply missed.

A memorial service for family and friends is planned at a later date. Those who wish to do so may make a contribution to the local VFW Post 257, El Dorado Springs. You have permission to contact Brent Beckman post commander.