October 8, 1938 – September 9, 2026 

Ed passed away Wednesday, September 9, 2026, in Salmon Arm, B.C. at the age of 87. 

He was born on October 8, 1938, in Yorkton, SK. 

He was the third of six children to Nicholas and Julia Bauer: 

Bertha, Mervin (predeceased), Edward, Joyce, Rudy (predeceased) and Linda. 

Ed left the family farm in Estevan, SK, when he was only fifteen years old. He built houses in Regina for two years before making his way to Falkland, where he found work horse logging. He went back to the farm for a visit and returned to Kamloops with his brother Mervin. Joyce and Bertha later followed them. Rudy settled in Merritt and after the family farm sold, Nicholas and Julia came out with Linda. And that’s how the whole family came to call Kamloops home. 

Ed married Hazel Gibbs (predeceased) in Blue River, B.C., on December 3, 1960, and eventually settled in Kamloops, to raise their family. He is survived by his three children and five grandchildren: Robert (Connie); Lee (Hailey), Richard; Brittany (Travis), Cameron, Julie (Neil); Zachery and Jordan. 

Ed worked all over B.C. in sawmills and logging camps. He always had such a strong work ethic, often taking on extra work during holidays and weekends. He was a heavy-duty equipment operator for more than 25 years at the Kamloops pulp mill. But he was also a: logger, faller, miner, rancher, farmer, roofer, and carpenter. 

Ed was tough as nails and had a swagger all his own. He had a strong, confident personality and his bark was usually bigger than his bite. His rough and tough attitude wasn’t just for show. He was someone to be reckoned with.  He was a bit like a soft-boiled egg; he was hard and strong on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside. 

He liked having a really big wood pile and would proudly show you his heating bill. He always kept the temperature turned way up. And he would stomp around the house barefoot and shirtless, affectionately and respectfully earning the nickname “Uncle Kong.” 

Dad was a great provider. He really valued garden fresh produce and farm raised meats. He worked very hard to put home-grown food on the table. And he would often do it on a grand scale and in large quantities, so to share the bounty and savings with all his family, friends and neighbours. 

His Campbell Creek hobby farm was a welcoming place for all. He hosted many large parties and events, and his generosity and hospitality made the farm the “go-to” place for community celebrations and 4-H club gatherings. He always said, “the best part about the farm, was all the teenagers.” 

He loved teaching them and showing them what “hard work” actually looked like. He taught them how to drive his truck around the field. He’d always say, “Take my truck”, lending it out to anyone. He even taught some of them how to run the tractor. He showed them how to tend to and care for the many different birds and animals he had on the farm. 

Dad also loved hunting, fishing and spending time on his boat, pulling a worm or a skier around the lake. He spent many vacations camping and water skiing at Stump Lake, and he once, water-skied, the entire length of Kalamalka Lake (10 miles or 16 kilometres). 

He was a serious competitor and took pleasure “whipping you” in a game of crib, betting against the Canucks and telling you all about the Blue Jays. 

He will be remembered fondly, for his unmistakable, colourful cowboy spirit. He was never without his cowboy hat, country music or a strong cup of mud (coffee). 

In fact, we used to say he was so tough… he stirred his coffee with his thumb! 

Dad will be missed by all who knew and loved him. 

We love you, dad! 

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The family would like to acknowledge the care that dad received from all the staff at the Good Samaritan – Hillside Village Care Home in Salmon Arm who treated him like family while he was in their care. 

In lieu of flowers please feel free to donate to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. 

There will not be a service, and the family encourages anyone to comment and share your thoughts and stories about who Ed was to you on the website. 

You may offer a message of condolence at Cypress Funeral and Cremation Services for the Bauer family.

• Date : 2026-09-09
• Location : Kamloops