Michael Bauer, 62, died 10-5-08 from a rare lung infection called Blastomycosis. From
1999 until the end of his life he was paralyzed due to
the autoimmune nerve disease C.I.D.P. Yet few realized the
excruciating degree of pain he endured (unless they asked him how he
was) because of his huge love of life and the way he laughed at
the humor he found in ordinary situations.
Customers calling The Bauer Group Inc. would sometimes get Mike on
the phone and enjoy hearing him laugh and good naturedly joke about his
inability to write down their order due to his paralysis. That
didn't stop him from trying to answer the phone though! He loved
hearing from the customers, and many became long distance friends over
the years, giving him much joy.
"While the pain and paralysis
that consumed Mike weakened him physically, his spirit, love of life,
and caring for others grew stronger," said his beloved friend Paul
Mathews. "Through it all, Mike never lost his ability to say in one
hundred words what could be said in ten, and his frequent digressions,
range of topics and unique insights never failed to bring on great
laughter. But I digress. I'm sure I am not the only one who is a better
person for having known him, and we have lost a true friend."
In 1987, Mike boldly launched a new product he created called Smile on a Stick. (www.smileonastick.com.) Over the past 21 years, the number of genuine
smiles that this simple product has created around the world is
impossible to calculate. In this feat alone, Mike more than succeeded
in making the world a better place.
The main principles he lived by were: Honesty, Service to others, Kindness, and Fun... especially Fun.
He didn't understand when people
called him an "inspiration" but the joyful way he lived his life,
even in the face of adversity, was an inspiration to everyone who
met him His laughter lives on in our hearts, and his smile in our hand.
