of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Pontiac, Lincoln Park, and Indian River, MI, died Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Chelsea Retirement Community at the age of 100. He was born March 15, 1924, in Hamburg, Michigan (Ore Lake) to George Andre & Virginia C. (Small) Bauchat.
Dave’s childhood, as the youngest of six children, was one of wild, rambunctious, and occasionally dangerous adventures with his brothers, coupled with the heavy burden of growing up during the Great Depression. From a young age, he and his brothers were tasked with contributing to the family coffers in any manner they could, from collecting monthly rents from his parents’ apartment tenants in Pontiac, to shooting bullfrogs in nearby creeks and selling the legs to earn cash. Dave also worked at a local grocery store throughout his high school years and fondly recalled the delicious sausages the owners would save for him at the end of the workday. Every penny Dave earned was given directly to his mother to help the family stay afloat. During his senior year of high school, Dave and his good friend Ron got permission to leave high school for a couple of weeks so they could drive to New York City and explore. In telling of this adventure, Dave always pointed out that the highlight of the trip was when the two boys managed to sneak into a burlesque show (and then later got into trouble for sharing far too many details of that experience with their high school classmates!)
Dave started college at Michigan State University, but left early at age 17 to enlist in the Army Air Corp during WWII. He became a pilot and flight instructor, training Air Corp pilots to fly B-24 and B-25 bombers for the war. After serving, Dave went west to Colorado and enrolled in school at Colorado State University in Fort Collins (formerly Colorado A&M). There he met and married the love of his life, Dorothy Jean Brummer of Canon City, CO. After completing his bachelor’s degree at the University of Denver, Dave and Dorothy returned to Michigan where Dave began his career at Ford Motor Company. This was interrupted when Dave was recalled into the Air Force during the Korean War. He served for two years in Korea, flying over 40 B-29 bombing missions. Following his discharge Dave returned to Michigan to resume his career at Ford, where he worked for the next 32 years in Finance. He was instrumental in recruiting and hiring college graduates from around the country to work at Ford. His children would eagerly await his return home from recruiting trips to various colleges and universities - Dave would always bring home souvenirs for each child. At one point during the height of Beatlemania, Dave found himself staying in a hotel room that had been used by the Beatles just the night before. Before he checked out, he carefully clipped a few strands of carpet from under the heater for his daughters. Needless to say, the “Beatles Carpet” souvenir was a big hit. Dave retired from his position as the Finance Department Manager at Ford in 1980.
Dave was an avid woodworker and carpenter, creating furniture, boats and toys that would become family heirlooms. He loved boats, water skiing, and being on the water, and was always ready for an outdoor adventure. Dave and Dorothy traveled extensively with their family through the years, with frequent family camping trips to Colorado. Dave instilled confidence in his children as he taught them all to drive cars and boats, how to water ski and ice skate, how to play all manner of sports, and most importantly, how to get up after you fall. He and Dorothy taught their children to be independent, self-sufficient and honorable.
Dave was a wonderful storyteller, and enjoyed sharing accounts of his life and experiences with family and friends. In 2015, Dave participated in the Veterans History Project Collection, sponsored by Ford Motor Company and the Library of Congress, sharing recollections of his early life and his memories of the war. The video interview can be found in the Library of Congress, Personnel Narratives collection at loc.gov.
One of Dave’s greatest joys in his later years was driving his vintage Ford Mustang convertible. He loved participating with his friends in the club rides, car shows and parades sponsored by the Northern Rods & Rides of Indian River, MI.
Dave and Dorothy were married on July 12, 1947, and were together for 67 wonderful years; Dorothy preceded him in death on August 12, 2014. Dave is survived by his six children, Katherine (Thomas) Wandzek of Denver, CO; Marilyn Bauchat (Gregory Grant) of Bloomington, IN; David (Nancy) Bauchat of E. Aurora, NY; Carole (Christopher) Barr of Manchester, MI; Janine (John Zawadski) Bauchat of Northville, MI; and John (Rae Barnhisel) Bauchat of Temple, NH; and 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. In addition to Dorothy, he was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; and two sisters.
Our family is left with many wonderful memories of a remarkable man who lived a life full of love for his family and a true passion for living every day to the fullest.
All Hail the “Killer Stick Ant”… we love you and miss you, Dad.
Dave and his beloved Dorothy will be laid to rest together at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
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