They say nobody is indispensable. That’s probably true, and for that matter that’s probably a good thing. And yet…

There are some people who come pretty darn close. Like Steve Bauer.

If you’ve been to a federal or postal union convention you’ve probably seen, maybe talked to, Steve. If you’ve been to a national or regional conference of FEW (Federally Employed Women) or BIG (Blacks In Government) or any of a dozen other groups, you’ve know Steve. He’s the guy with the mustache who is at the FEEA (Federal Employees Education and Assistance) vendors table. Steve might give you a pen, or note pad. Might sell you a raffle ticket was always ready to take a donation for the feds-helping-feds charity. FEEA has also had major, steady gifts from Blue Cross-Blue Shield, GEICO, LTC Partners, and other corporate sponsors. But much of its money came from you, feds who designated it to receive their contributions during the Combined Federal Campaign drives.

A formerSocial Security Administration executive, Steve was one of the founders, then executive director, of FEEA. That was 30 years ago. But time truly does fly when your having fun which he did doing something he really liked. : Helping feds in need recover from death of a loved one, a hurricane, terrorist attack or a furlough.

Stories about Steve flying to disaster areas—with a suitcase full of cash—are legion. Also true. He was the unofficial ‘godfather” to scores of kids whose parents were killed in the Oklahoma City bombings. FEEA gave them all (including one not yet born) a full ride to ANY college they could get into. Any one. Although some chose Ivy League schools, a significant number stayed close to home, and chose healing or helping professionals like nurse, doctor, social worker.

Steve’s job description was unusual, and flexible. And he was FEEA’s first leader. But everybody who knows him probably feels nobody could have done it better. Lke there’s s only one George Washington, one Neil Armstrong., right. Steve never crossed the icy Delaware River in a boat, or walked on the Moon. But he was first in lots of things and touched lots of lives.

There was, is, a single chink in his otherwise brightly polished armor. Steve flew, a lot, both helping people, meeting people and collecting donations for FEEA. As such he had a ton of frequent flyer miles. On more than one occasion I hinted that Steve might like to adopt an older boy (that would be me) so we could have family outings in Paris or Rome. Mr. So-Called Generous Guy never even responded. Minus that flaw he is the best and will be missed.

Nice work Mr. B.

Nearly Useless Factoid

By Jory Heckman

Honey bees do not have sensory organs that can pick up sounds that we can hear. They are very sensitive to vibrations. They feel us walking toward the nesting site before we get there.

Source: University of California, Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology

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