Richard E. Bayer

Richard E. Bayer

Richard E. Bayer, 95, of Erie, passed away on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at The Residence at Presque Isle Bay. Born May 23, 1928, he was the son of the late Marcellus "Jack" and Margaret Bayer. Richard attended St. Joseph Elementary School, St. Mary's School, and Erie Technical Memorial High School. He was a veteran of the United States Merchant Marines.

Richard was employed by Erie City Iron Works, then worked as a stereotyper for the Erie Dispatch and later the Erie Times Publishing Company as the Building Superintendent, where he retired in 1992 after 41 years of service. He was also employed, part time, by Pastore Brothers Builders.

He was a member of the Fairview Saddle Club, German Shepherd Club of Erie County, Erie Maennerchor Club, Erie Yacht Club, Times Old Newsies, and life member SN of the Erie Power Squadron where he enjoyed his role as a squadron educational/officer and hosting the "annual sock burning". Richard also enjoyed raising and training quarter horses, German shepherd dogs, traveling, ballroom dancing with his beloved wife Betty, playing guitar with family and friends, and his great love of sailing. He developed "From the Bayer Woods", where he made woodworking crafts and gifts. He also enjoyed volunteering at the Erie VA Medical Center and participated in the Dog Therapy Program with his dog Suzy.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years Betty M. (Hosmer) Bayer, son Jack R. Bayer, and sister Colleen M. Bayer Berry.

He is survived by daughter Kristen Bayer Mattis and husband Richard, of Palmyra, PA; grandson Edward Mattis and wife Lori, of Cornwall, PA; granddaughters Barbra (Bayer) Boutin and husband Mark, of Tallahassee, FL; and Michele (Mattis) Knott and husband Joel, of Palmyra, PA. Also surviving are 5 great grandchildren, Jessica, Joshua, Mattison, Isabel, Blair; 4 great-great grandchildren, Liam, Riley, Callie, Jacob, and several nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, on Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service there at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Dunn Valley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Richard, may be made to Lakeland Area Hospice, 4635 East Lake Rd., Erie, PA 16511.

Special thanks to all the dedicated staff at the Residence at Presque Isle Bay and Lakeland Area Hospice for the excellent and loving care they provided to Richard, and also to his fellow boating friends of the Erie Power Squadron who provided ongoing support and companionship in his final years.