San Patricio Electric Cooperative Board Member, Bobby Bauch, passed away on July 19. Bauch was a long-time resident of the West Sinton area and served the co-op as the Director-at-Large.
At large is a fitting way to describe Bauch’s personality. He was dynamic, deeply religious and civic minded. He made a positive difference in the lives of all who knew him, and he leaves behind a record of service that his loved ones and colleagues can remember with pride.
Bauch was well known in the community and a staunch supporter of electric cooperatives. In September, Bauch would have completed 10 years of service on SPEC’s Board of Directors, but his history with the co-op goes back much further than that.
Bobby Bauch began working at the co-op in 1968 after serving in the armed forces. He began his career as an apprentice lineman before later advancing to Member Service Representative. In 1977, Bauch became General Manager of SPEC, a role he held until 1988.
During his tenure at SPEC, Bauch had a front row seat to many memorable events, including the inauguration of San Miguel Electric Cooperative, the formation of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and the adoption of service area boundaries for SPEC. He also saw the co-op through restoration efforts after numerous storms, including Hurricane Celia in 1970 and Hurricane Allen in 1980.
Bauch was elected to the SPEC Board of Directors in September 2013, and was re-elected to serve a fourth term in 2022. During his time as Director-at-Large, Bauch earned all three educational certificates awarded by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association: Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership, and Director Gold.
In addition to his role at SPEC, Bauch represented the co-op on the board of South Texas Electric Cooperative, the generation and transmission cooperative from which SPEC purchases power. Bauch served on the STEC board for nine years.
Throughout his life, Bauch was invested in the cooperative business model and lived by the cooperative principles. He faithfully served the membership of SPEC and STEC. Bauch was highly respected by SPEC’s employees, members and fellow board members.
Services for Bauch were held July 22 at the Sacred Heart Church in Mathis.
Our deepest sympathies go out to the loving family and friends he leaves behind, especially his wife of 57 years, Nancy Bauch; to his children, Lori Hooten and her husband Kenny, Allyson Friedrich and her husband Wade; to his grandchildren, Sarah Brunson and her husband Bryan, Elizabeth Kay Belt, Bryce Michael Friedrich; and his great grandson, Barrett Brunson, as well as several nieces and nephews.
