Obituary of John Richard Bauer

John R. Bauer, 71, of Netcong, passed away suddenly on October 18, 2020 at Saint Clare's Dover Hospital. John was born on August 11, 1949 to John and Gloria Bauer in Allentown, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Delbarton High School in 1967, he went on to study at Rutgers University preparing for a future in secondary education. He received an athletic scholarship to play football for the Scarlet Knights where he played as an offensive lineman. He was a member of the 1969 centennial team and also winner of the 1970 Upstream Award for academic achievement. After graduation, he landed his first job as a Social Studies teacher for Randolph High School where both his parents were employed. He taught in the classroom for twenty years and subsequently served as the Athletic Director at Randolph for the next fifteen years prior to retiring in 2006. When he wasn't in the classroom he was on the football field. For 19 years he served as an assistant coach under his father, who was the head coach at Randolph. Over the years John gained a reputation amongst his coaching peers as a "brilliant offensive tactician" and "a master of the X's and O's". He continued working with his father until his father's unexpected death in 1990, upon which John took over head coaching responsibilities mid-season. Just weeks after his father's death, in what many consider to be his coaching magnum opus, John led the Randolph Rams, to an improbable last second victory over the Montclair Mounties (who were ranked #1 in New Jersey, #5 in the USA). It was a 22-21 stunning state championship win for the Rams - a game in which the Montclair fans had already stormed the field thinking they had won before the clock was reset to seven seconds. Seven seconds. Trailing by two points. And Montclair had the ball. What would transpire over those remaining seven ticks would become the stuff of local legend (and many news articles, interviews, and even a movie transcript). This game, which has been referred to as "The Miracle at Montclair" or quite simply, "The Game", cemented John's legacy and legendary status in the annals of New Jersey high school football history and continues to live on as one of the greatest high school football games ever played. That victory also helped maintain "The Streak", another major coaching accomplishment of his - one which he inherited from his Dad. Randolph set New Jersey state records by winning 54 consecutive regular-season and playoff games and going unbeaten in 59 straight games from 1986 to 1991. John continued on as head coach at Randolph where he coached his eldest son, John Christopher. After Randolph, John spent time as an assistant coach at Livingston High School, Lenape Valley High School (where he coached his youngest son, Charles), and lastly Ridge High School. He finished his high school football coaching career with 287 victories, 7 state championships, and numerous conference titles. In 2007 he was inducted into the New Jersey Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, joining his father who was inducted in 1990. In 2018, he was also inducted into the Randolph High School Athletic Hall of Fame. In addition to Football, in his earlier years at Randolph, John also coached Randolph Varsity Basketball - leading them to a New Jersey State Championship in in the early 80's. In 1967, he was introduced to Donna Mae [Burd] by close friend, Tom Romano. Donna invited John to her Sadie Hawkins dance. After a six year courtship they wed in 1973, going on to have three children, John C., Jenniferanne, and Charles. John and Donna remained inseparable for over 47 years of marriage. After retiring, John never sat still. A man of strong faith, he was extremely active at his local parish, St. Michael's in Netcong, where he was a lector for over 40 years, a Eucharistic Minister, as well as involved in the RCIA program. He was an active volunteer in town including involvement with the Netcong Recreation Commission. He also stayed physically active by hitting the weights at his local gym and home garage as well as going on regular walks around town. He devoted much time to his "garden" (more of a tiny farm!) that he inherited from his father-in-law. He regularly harvested a bounty of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, zucchini, and potatoes. He enjoyed playing golf when he could - and took numerous trips to the many courses of Ocean City, Maryland with his sons and son-in-law. His home course over the years was Flanders Valley Golf Course where he achieved every golfer's ultimate dream in 2013 by hitting a hole-in-one on the par 3 fifth hole on the Red course. He proudly displayed his hole-in-one bag tag on his golf bag for years that followed. He was an expert in lawn care and followed a strict maintenance regimen which resulted in him often having the greenest of grass even into the dead of winter. He was a master house painter - a craft that he honed during the summers when school was out and one that he continued to perfect while painting for family including the nurseries of his grandchildren. Painting was yet another area where he showed his extreme focus and perfection - ensuring that every line and corner was literally flawless. He also enjoyed decorating for the holidays where again he carried over his meticulous nature of making sure everything was perfect down to the last light bulb. He was also known to spend time in the kitchen on occasion - following in the footsteps of both his sons who went on to become professional chefs - where he would spend hours making the perfect homemade gnocchi or homemade raviolis or even his annual turkey fry on Thanksgiving. He was a doting, loving grandfather, often seen wearing one of the many t-shirts and sweatshirts with the smiling faces of his grandchildren. He loved spending time with them each year in the waves of Ocean City, Maryland and they all served as a major source of pride. He enjoyed going to their sports practices, games, and recitals and hearing how they were doing in all aspects of their lives. A man who loved tradition, one of his favorites activities was his annual Easter egg hunt that he would set up for his grandchildren (and even his own adult children!) - an event that required considerable planning and forethought. In order to claim whatever prize there was, one first had to answer the "riddle" that he hid inside each of the eggs. John lived his life to the fullest - not wasting a single moment of any waking day. Some have said "do more of what you love for that is the path to happiness". John exemplified this way of life and spread his love across all who crossed his path - whether it was in the classroom, on an athletic field, at church, on the golf course, at the gym, around town - he touched and made better so many lives simply by doing what he loved. John was predeceased by his father, John, his mother, Gloria, his father-in-law, Elwin, and his mother-in-law, Mary. He is survived by his loving wife, Donna; children, John, Jenniferanne, and Charles; his daughters-in-law, Wendy and Audra; son-in-law, Chris; grandchildren Isabella, Sophia, Joseph, Dylan, Sean, Jake, Colin, Ella, and Baby Bauer (due in December); sister, Diane; brother, Greg; and his feline companion (and sharer of his ice cream) of over 17 years, Hunter. Friends may visit St. Michael Church, 4 Church Street, Netcong, NJ, for a viewing on Wednesday, October 21st, from 3pm - 7pm. The Funeral Liturgy will be held on Thursday, October 22nd, at 10am, also at St. Michael's, followed by the interment at Stanhope Union Cemetery. Please remember to wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines. In remembrance of John's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to St. Michael Church in Netcong.