OLATHE — Melvin Robert Bauck, 81, Ottawa, died Monday, Sept. 27, 2021, at Olathe Hospice House, Olathe.
He was born July 18, 1940, to Robert and Ella (Wigger) Bauck. He grew up in the Vassar community, and graduated from Lyndon High School. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Emporia State University, where he was a member of Delta Pi Epsilon, a graduate fraternity for business teachers.
Melvin began his 43-year teaching career at Welda High School, and retired from Anderson County High School, Garnett. He was a sponsor of the Hi-Y Club and later the Octagon Club. As sponsor of these clubs, he led numerous trips to Model Legislature at the state capitol in Topeka. He was a member of the Professional Development Council for many years.
He was an active member of the local Teachers Association, serving as secretary, vice president and president. He was a member of the Kansas National Education Association and the National Education Association, and served as a state and national delegate. He was the local Teachers Association Teacher of the Year in 1996.
Melvin was a member and secretary of the Garnett Public Library Board, during which time the addition was built. He was a member of the Ottawa Library Board and the AdventHealth Ottawa Auxiliary. He volunteered at the Franklin County Convention and Visitors Center.
He helped organize Trinity Lutheran Church, Garnett, and was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Ottawa, where he was an organist, taught midweek and Bible classes, and was an elder for many years.
Melvin married Carol Helmke Aug. 14, 1977, in Preston. After living in Garnett for many years, they moved to Ottawa in 2007.
He is survived by his wife, Carol; sons, Aaron (Leslie), Birmingham, Ala., and Lyle (Vanessa), New York, N.Y.; two grandchildren, Logan and Charlotte; and a sister, Berdeen Manteufel (Tom), Saint Louis, Mo.
A visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 4, at Faith Lutheran Church, Ottawa. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, at the church. Masks will be required at each event.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Melvin and Carol Bauck Family Scholarship via Emporia State University Foundation, or to Faith Lutheran Church, and sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451.
Condolences may be left at FeltnerFuneralHome.com.