Kenneth Regner remembers Richard C.

Tuesday, August 31, 1999

Kenneth Regner remembers Richard C. Baudler as a "tenacious advocate" for citizens.

David L. Forman remembers him as a real estate attorney who "knew everybody and every property in Mower County."

Family and other relatives have their own memories of the man.

Baudler died Sunday at his home at the age of 77.

"He always kept the rate payers at the forefront of his mind while serving on the Austin Utilities Board of Commissioners," said Regner, a 16-year member of the board and its president.

Baudler was appointed to the board in 1959 by then-Mayor Baldy Hansen and succeeded H. V. Plunkett Jr. A year later he was elected chairman of the board.

Essentially, he served two "extended terms" on the board. The first lasted 30 years until he retired and gave up the municipal utilities board duties.

But that retirement didn’t last long and soon enough he successfully ran for another term on the board and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death.

With three years left on his current term, Austin Mayor Bonnie Rietz has the choice of appointing someone to fill the unexpired term or to hold a special election for the position.

"He definitely had a mind of his own," said Regner. "In his first 30 years on the board, he was a tenacious advocate for rate payers and always kept them foremost in his mind when making decisions."

Forman essentially replaced Baudler in the capacity of real estate attorney at the Baudler, Baudler, Maus and Blahnik law firm in Austin.

"That was 16 years ago and by then he was winding down his practice," said Forman. "He was an individual who had more knowledge of real estate in Mower County than anyone."

"Almost always, when I would mention a name or a property, he always knew the person or the property after practicing real estate law for so many decades," he Forman.

"It’s very sad at the law firm as it is elsewhere where there are those who knew him," said Forman. "He was a respected member of the law community."

The Baudler name is linked to Austin history.

Almost a year before the founding of Austin, William Baudler purchased Hunter Clark’s claim to the northwest quarter of Section 34 in Lansing Township.

Six families of descendants would at one time live on the property first claimed by the German immigrant. Today, all that remains of the original Baudler homestead is a plot of land along 4th Street Northwest and bordered to the north by Interstate 90.

Lucille Baudler, a sister of Richard C., is the only remaining third generation family member surviving.

The deceased was the son of Carl Baudler, second oldest of four sons born to the second generation of Baudlers, who settled in Austin.

As an adult, he distinguished himself during World War II in the U. S. Navy. After the war, he went to college and was admitted to practice law in the firm founded by Otto Baudler, an uncle to the deceased, and Otto’s son, William.

Both his daughter, Ellen J. Baudler, and his son, Thomas C. Baudler, are attorneys.

"Nobody did more for the city of Austin than his capacity as an attorney, a Utilities Board member and a citizen," said Regner. "There will never be another one like Dick Baudler."

For a complete obituary and funeral services, see page 2 of today’s edition.