Frank Bauss Obituary, Death – On November 12, 2022, Frank A. “Tony” Bauss, 83, of Northville and Harbor Springs, died. He was born in Detroit on October 4, 1939, to Harvey C. and Mary V. (Harrell) Bauss, Sr. In 1957, Tony graduated from Cooley High School in Detroit. He attended Ferris State and the University of Michigan before graduating from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in business. As a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, he valued the brotherhood it represented. Tony was a Chaplain’s Assistant in the Army Reserve who proudly served his country.
Tony has over 45 years of experience as a custom home and commercial builder in the area (general contractor). He was enthusiastic about his work and built high-quality structures and developments with his meticulous eye for detail and respect for tradition. Tony was always working on something or fiddling with something. His favorite location was his home in Harbor Springs (Good Hart) on the shores of Lake Michigan, which he built in 1983 with his then-wife Irene (Lamanen). After retiring with his beloved partner Pati Heath, he spent the majority of his time there. Family visits have been spent in the water, on the slopes, or working on maintenance, construction, and beautification projects over the years.
Tony, who enjoyed skiing, had a group of friends who traveled to Boyne Highlands for a weekend of fun every winter. “Gramps” loved cooking big breakfasts for his grandchildren and calling them every day to keep up with their lives and sporting successes, whether it was football at Groves High School and later SVSU, soccer in Ontario, recitals at Oakdale Academy, sailing in Little Traverse Bay, or impromptu piano concerts over the phone. He was a beloved father, brother, and friend, as well as a fantastic grandfather. Everyone who knew him will remember him fondly.
His children are Erik (Deanna Alfredo) Bauss and Kathryn (Bernd) Steinbock; his grandchildren are Benjamin, Francesca “Frankie”, Maximilian, Kunigunde, Wenzel, and Sebastian; and his brothers are Harvey C. Bauss, Jr. and William David Bauss. Patricia “Pati” Heath, his 25-year partner, and his parents preceded him in death. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Mr. Bauss will be laid to rest in Northville’s Rural Hill Cemetery. The family would appreciate memorial contributions to Homes for Our Troops in lieu of flowers.
