Robert Joel 'Joe' Bader

Robert Joel "Joe" Bader passed away at the Willard Walker Hospice, Fayetteville, Ark., on Feb. 13, 2014. He was born on Feb. 12, 1942, in Portland, Ore., the son of Robert C. Bader and Sidney Cole Bader. He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law, Dr. Keith Varney; and great-nephews, Theodore and Zachery Benshoof. Joe attended high school in Great Falls, Mont. He earned his BBA from University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and did post-graduate work at Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill., while he was a management trainee at Western Electric, Cicero, Ill. He was promoted to department chief, and worked at Teletype, Skokie, Ill. He retired after a 25-year career with AT&T from the Teletype/Lucent plant in Little Rock, Ark. After retirement, he became a Little Caesar's franchisee in Northwest Arkansas and opened three stores, one in Springdale and two in Fayetteville. He sold his share of the business to his partners in 1993, and worked subsequently for Meals on Wheels, and ended his working career at 70 when he retired from the Elizabeth Richardson Center. Joe Bader lived life to the fullest with laughter, humor and compassion. He loved jazz, good food, nature, green grass, lakes, boats, skiing, and travel. He was able to travel to most of Eastern and Western Europe, Norway, Sweden, Russia and Greece. And there was always another trip to plan. Joe Bader is survived by his wife, Joan; son, Scott Bader (Rene), Springdale; daughter, Tyara Bader Kelly (Robert), Jacksonville, Ala.; and four grandchildren, Lauren Bader Johnson, (Simon), Rogers, Ark., Rachel Bader, Springdale, Ark., Brian and Samantha Kelly, Jacksonville, Ala.; brother, Jon Bader (Edie), San Jose, Calif.; mother-in-law, Alice Varney, Springdale; sister-in-law, Cheryl Herzfeld, Bloomfield, Mich.; and his nieces and nephews. He filled a room with his presence, graced our lives and was dearly loved. In lieu of flowers, a donation in his memory may be made to Elizabeth Richardson Center, 3917 S. Old Missouri Road, Springdale, AR 72764; or Willard Walker Hospice Home, 325 E. Longview St., Fayetteville, AR 72703. A memorial service will be held at Sisco Funeral Chapel, Monday, Feb. 17, 2014, at 10 a.m. Private family burial will be at Bluff Cemetery in Springdale. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com.