Robert E. "Bob" Baldauf

ROBERT E. “BOB” BALDAUF, 78

Ceratech, Inc.

BABSON PARK--Robert E. “Bob” Baldauf of Babson Park, died of melanoma Friday (Oct. 06, 2006) at Wedgewood of Winter Haven. He was 78.

Born October 20, 1927 in Anderson, IN; he moved to the area in 1954. Prior to his retirement, he was the president of Ceratech, Inc. of Marion, KY and vice-president of Flamingo Tile Corp. in Lake Wales. He attended Ohio State University and was a Captain in the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War. In 1953, he married Deloris Jett in Fort, Leonard Wood, MO.

He was a charter member of the Lake Wales Lutheran Church, and served as an elder and choir member for over 40 years. He was Sunday school teacher and president of the Sunday school committee. He also chaired the building committee for several years.

He was active in many community organizations, serving as president of the Lake Wales C. of C., the Lake Wales Band Association, the Lake Wales Junior High P.T.A. and the V.F.W. He also served on the board of directors of the March of Dimes and the Miss America Softball League. He was a Boy Scout Master of Troop #134, and coached Little League Baseball and YMCA Youth Basketball. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and Lake Wales Mason Lodge, and involved in the fund raising drive to build the original Lake Wales Hospital.

He was a member of the Hawthorne-Gainesville Hunt Club for over 20 years, and he enjoyed hunting on his farm in Kentucky. He was also a member of the Lake Wales County Club.

Mr. Baldauf was preceded in death by his wife, Deloris Baldauf. Survivors include his daughter, Bonnie Parker of Winter Haven, FL; sons, Andy Baldauf of Babson Park, FL, John Baldauf of Summerville, SC, and Robert M. Baldauf of Brattleboro, VT; brothers, James A. Baldauf of Winter Haven, FL and Thomas J. Baldauf of Anderson, IN; sister, Ruth Tyack of Columbus, OH; grandchildren, Alex Carson Balfauf of Summerville, SC, Tanner Baldauf and Ema Baldauf both of Brattleboro, VT.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2006 at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2006 at the Lake Wales Lutheran Church with Rev. John Glamann officiating. Interment will follow at the Lake Wales Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lake Wales Lutheran Church, 640 Scenic Highway South, Lake Wales, FL 33853.

Marion Nelson Funeral Home, Lake Wales, FL.