Professor Emeritus of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine
Passed by the IU Indianapolis Faculty Council at their meeting on October 5, 2010.
Professor D.C. (Jack) Bauer died unexpectedly August 7, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin after a brief illness. He was 79 years old. Jack was born in Elgin, Illinois on July 1, 1931. He attended Lake Forest College from 1949-51, receiving his B.S. degree in Microbiology from University of Illinois in 1954. He then served two years in the United States Army, before attending Michigan State University where he received his
M.S. degree in 1957 and his Ph.D. from the same institution in 1959. After a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Abe Stavitsky at Western Reserve University, Jack became an Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Indiana University School of Medicine in 1961. He was quickly promoted to Associate Professor in the same department in 1965 and again quickly to Professor in 1968. Jack served as Acting/Interim Chairman of the Department of Microbiology both as an Associate Professor and as a Professor and in 1981 was appointed Chairman of the department, remaining such until his retirement in 1996. Jack was a member of a number of national professional societies, including the American Association of Immunologists, the American Society for Microbiology, Sigma Xi, and the Association of Medical School Microbiology and Immunology Chairmen.
Jack taught immunology to medical, dental and graduate students. He had a strong sense of what the students should be taught. He always took the education mission very seriously. Jack had a terrific ability to present complex ideas in a way that was very clear and allowed the students to grasp the material. As a lecturer, Jack wore a jacket and tie but his style in the large lecture setting was relaxed and comfortable, making it easy for students to approach him.
During his tenure at the University, Jack mentored many students who received their master’s or doctoral degrees for research done in his laboratory. This research originally addressed basic concepts in immunology and later evolved to contributions in the area of multiple sclerosis. Jack was very proud of his students and the strong bond between them was amply displayed when they came from all over the country to participate in Jack’s retirement celebration.
Jack’s insight into the elements required to produce excellent scientists and physicians, and his commitment to ensuring a quality educational experience, led to his participation in many committees at the Medical School. These included chairing the Academic Standards Committee and participating in the Education Curriculum and Admissions Committees for the School of Medicine. The esteem in which he was held by the School is amply documented by his being asked to serve on the many Search and Screen Committees, including for the Chairman of Anatomy, of Surgery, of Pathology, Dean of the Graduate School, Dean of the Medical School, and Center Directorships.
Jack was not only a great mentor to his students but also to the faculty, especially those just beginning their careers. As Course Director for the medical school Microbiology and Immunology course, he sat in on all lectures and then gave constructive comments to the lecturers. Jack was always a calming influence, always a very even keel, and always able to look at things objectively. He set a high standard for all to follow. He was very committed to the Department and the School and he instilled this in his faculty. And he was always tolerant and respectful of others. For his outstanding abilities as an educator, Jack was the recipient of three highly prestigious honors: The Distinguished Teaching Award from Indiana University, The Faculty Colloquium on Excellence in Teaching Award from Indiana University and the Sagamore of the Wabash – the highest honor bestowed by the Governor of Indiana for distinguished service to the state.
As Chairman of Microbiology and Immunology, Jack quietly made a number of changes in the Department that made it run smoother and laboratory dollars go further. By creative financing, he was also able to increase the number of graduate students in the department. His reputation in the field of immunology allowed Jack to recruit other first class immunologists to the department. Because Jack did things without a lot of fanfare, his accomplishments were often taken for granted.
Finally, Jack was the consummate gentleman. Even as the world evolved around him to a point where opening a door for a woman was no longer expected of a man, Jack never lost his impulse or desire to do this. Further, he was very supportive of the women in his department and cognizant of times when they might have been unfairly criticized. He was always fair in all ways. He was a very compassionate man who will be sorely missed by friends and colleagues alike.
When Jack retired, he and his wife, Lois, moved to Door County, Wisconsin a place they had fallen in love with during visits there. While some of us expected they would seek refuge from the winters by coming back to Indianapolis, they loved being close to Lake Michigan in all seasons and, after moving there, never strayed from it. Jack is survived by Lois and by his many graduate students whom he and Lois considered family.
Be it resolved that this memorial resolution be presented to the Faculty Council of Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis, and that copies be sent to his wife Lois.
Respectively submitted:
Ann Roman, Ph.D., Chancellor’s Professor Emeritus, Professor Emeritus of Microbiology and Immunology
Constance Danielson, M.D., Ph.D. (Recipient of a Ph.D. with Jack as mentor) Chief of Service, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Wishard Health Services