(Photo by Gwen Sour) From left, Mark Bauer helps his father, Ted Bauer, with his 104th birthday cake on aTuesday in Marietta.

Family and friends gathered to celebrate the 104th birthday of Ted Bauer, a longtime journalist whose career spanned decades at the Marietta Times and the Parkersburg News and Sentinel, as well as a decorated World War II veteran whose life touched generations in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Bauer’s milestone birthday brought together children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many of whom reflected on a man remembered as thoughtful and deeply devoted to both family and community.

Brad Bauer, his grandson, said his grandfather’s longevity comes as no surprise to those who know his story.

“When it comes to my granddad, nothing ever surprises me,” Brad Bauer said. “He’s had a tremendous life. Just thinking of all the things that he’s seen over the last 104 years — all the changes in the world and all the accomplishments he’s had — it’s pretty amazing.”

Ted Bauer also served in World War II as a B-17 bombardier, a role his family described as both dangerous and defining. According to relatives, Bauer completed 35 missions — a number that far exceeded the typical life expectancy of crew members at the time.

(Photo by Gwen Sour) From left, Ted Bauer looks over family photos alongside his grandson, Brad Bauer, during his 104th birthday celebration in Marietta on Tuesday.

Brad Bauer said some of his favorite memories growing up involved time spent at the driving range Bauer once owned at the Washington County Fairgrounds.

“I spent a lot of time down there with him,” he said. “He taught me how to swing a golf club — literally from the ground up — but also how to treat people. Folks would come down not just to hit balls, but just to sit and talk with him.”

Ted Bauer’s son, Mark Bauer, said golf was an integral part of daily family life from an early age.

“My dad was a journalist, but he also owned the golf range, so I started playing golf when I was very little,” Mark Bauer said. “Matter of fact, he held a golf club for me just to teach me how to walk. That’s how early it started.”

Even as Bauer aged, his passion for the sport never faded. Mark Bauer said his father played golf well into his 90s.

(Photo by Gwen Sour) From left, Josh Bauer watches as Evelyn Bauer receives a high five from her great-grandfather, Ted Bauer, on Tuesday during Ted’s 104th birthday celebration.

“He and George Offenberger were like a religious team out there,” he said. “They were very avid golfers, and Dad was very good. Honestly, I think he could have gone pro back in his era, but he didn’t want to be away from family or leave the area.”

Ted Bauer frequently played with longtime friends and offered advice to younger family members.

After retiring from daily newspaper work, Bauer continued writing a weekly column, often reflecting on memories from his youth and the people he had known.

“It came out every Saturday,” Mark Bauer said. “He had a way of writing that was truly unbiased, and his stories brought back memories for a lot of people.”

Theodore “Teddy” Bauer, his great-grandson and namesake, said the family legacy is something he holds closely.

“Hearing stories of him — the military, his life — it’s something special,” he said. “Even now, I’ll record my golf swing and show it to him, and he’ll still find ways to help me do better.”

As family members gathered around Bauer on Tuesday to celebrate his birthday, many emphasized that the greatest gift was simply having him there.

“That’s the best part,” Mark Bauer said. “Having Dad here, surrounded by family, celebrating 104 years.”