John P Bauernfeind

John Phillip Bauernfeind was born June 21, 1938, in Menasha, Wisconsin, to Walter J. Bauernfeind and Caryl Engstrom Bauernfeind, He left this world for his heavenly home on January 18, 2018, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

John attended school in Menasha and worked for his father at the family Floral Center Greenhouses after school and on weekends. He was an active Cub Scout and in 1948 won the apple-eating race at the Cub Pack 3 Fall Party. Fitness was always an important part of his life and he jogged and did calisthenics well into his seventies.

He graduated from St. Mary High School, Menasha, in 1956, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served two years and was honorably discharged. John used the GI Bill to attend Carroll College in Helena, Montana, where he completed a BA in English. He met and married Patricia M. Dailey in l961. Together they had three children who survive him: Sarah M. Bauer, Michael J. Bauernfeind and Joseph (Linda) Bauer.

John moved his family to Missoula, Montana, where he completed a Master's in Fine Arts in 1969 at the University of Montana. He loved the wild outdoors of Montana, campfires, hunting and fishing, He gave skydiving a try while living in Missoula. He also enjoyed a mug of A&W Root Beer and would treat his children on occasion to the frosty soda at the drive-up. He liked sports cars and owned a red Corvette and a blue Mustang in the '70s.

John published "Whoosh!!" - a book of poetry - in l982. The back cover of "Whoosh!!" lists many of the jobs John had held, including: "forest service lookout, ship's engineer, window washer (six stories with a belt), tractor trailer driver, school bus driver, prison English teacher, E.S.L. teacher on two continents, and poet supreme." He became an accomplished wildlife photographer and particularly loved to photograph hummingbirds whose migration he would follow to South America. He exercised great patience in waiting for just the right shot of a hummingbird. He has produced hundreds of quality wildlife photographs which he often attached to card stock and signed "JPB Photo".

John spent extended periods of time in Florida with his sister Susan Russell and her husband Dick and his niece Hilary Russell. Both Susie and Hilary survive him. He also cared for his father until his death in 2000 at the age of 98, and it was in caring for him that he re-established his roots in Wisconsin.

A book of short stories published in 2010 called "The Road to Mindo" acknowledges that "still small voice" saying "don't quit, don't quit " when it comes to writing. John had spent his early years as a student writing by lantern and space heater in a tiny hut on the historic Last Chance Gulch in Helena, Montana. His "Mindo" book was written in the first person and while the names were often changed, the experiences were John's.

John was a gentle person who won the affection of a Calico Cat name Callie when he visited his son and daughter-in-law. Callie liked very few people so it was quite a notable achievement to be liked by Callie. He found great joy in working many months with founder Laura Quinn of the famous Wild Bird Center in the Florida Keys, which rescues sick and injured wild and endangered birds. It was a private oasis that was rich in photo opportunies for John and he was often out at dawn and dusk pursuing - and getting - that once in a lifetime shot.

His faith in Jesus grew as the years passed. He attended the Salvation Army Church as long as his health allowed. He loved the fellowshipping with his church family. We are confident that he is in the arms of his Savior now.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Jane of New York City and his brother-in-law Dick Russell. He is also survived by his grandchildren Nicholas Bauernfeind and Alexandra Bauernfeind.

The famiy would like to thank the staff at the Centennial Inn for their loving care of John, since late 2014.

A Celebration of Life officiated by Captain Don of the Salvation Army will take place Wednesday, January 24, at 11:00 a.m. at the Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home and Crematory West Side, at 100 Lake Point Drive, Oshkosh, WI. A light lunch will be served following the service.