Marine "Doc" Bauer wins Annual USA Military Powerlifting Championship, is congratulated by Commandant John Piazza of Marine Corps League Det. 54 in Largo

Still a Marine at 72

Leatherneck “Doc” Bauer is congratulated by John Piazza, Commandant of Marine Corps League Detachment 54, for powerlifting achievement.

   Although his active service ended nearly fifty years ago, William “Doc” Bauer of Largo remains a devoted member of the United States Marine Corps.  Recent evidence of that commitment took place at the 21^st Annual USA Military Power-Lifting Championships held in Orlando on March 9, 2013.  Bauer earned the gold medal at his age and weight classification in the bench press competition.

   His dedication to the “Corps” was also recently demonstrated when he took first place while setting a national record in his age and weight class at the Amateur Athletic Union’s Armed Forces competition staged on December 15, 2012 at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa as well as the military component of the AAU’s powerlifting competition conducted at Richmond, Virginia on January 19, 2013.

    Dr. Bauer, a Pennsylvania native, served in the Third Marine Air Wing at the USMC Air Station, El Toro, California in 1966 and 1967.  He capitalized on the training and a Masters degree he received while working as an educational assistant in the Marines and, following his return to civilian life, he was appointed to a number of administrative positions within Pennsylvania’s community college system.  He earned his PhD in higher education from the University of Pittsburgh in 1977 and retired as the President of the Community College of Beaver County near Pittsburgh in 1989.

    Since taking up residence in Florida, Bauer has worked at a number of fitness centers in the Largo and Clearwater areas in a position that he calls a “paying hobby.”  He specializes in fitness instruction for those who are 55+ as a certified personal trainer.  In connection with that second career, he’s competed in and won gold medals in power lifting at county, state, national and international levels.

   “Doc” says that he’s looking forward to the USA Powerlifting championships scheduled for late March at Fort Lauderdale and hopes that with a good showing there he can earn a slot on the USA team and go to the prestigious International Federation’s world championships.  He would, he says, like to make the “proud few” proud at that level as well.

 “Doc” Bauer is a provisional member of the Morris F. Dixon, Jr. Detachment 54 of the Marine Corps League in Largo.