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Klingler College of Arts and Sciences Recipients

A Person for Others Award

ROGER A. BAEHR, ARTS '71ROGER A. BAEHR, ARTS '71
Wauwatosa, Wis.

What would you call someone who:

— Devoted more than 40 years to Catholic elementary education in the Milwaukee Archdiocese, successfully serving schools at both ends of the socioeconomic spectrum?

— Taught and guided thousands of children?

— Prevented the closure of two schools and came out of retirement to ensure success of a third?

A committed educator? A masterful school administrator? You decide.

Roger began teaching math and social studies in 1969, going on to teach Spanish and coach football, basketball and softball at Mother of Good Counsel in Milwaukee and St. Jude in Wauwatosa, Wis. Always putting the kids first in his endeavors, he wanted to lead on their behalf. Roger earned his administrator leadership degree in 1975 and became principal at Holy Assumption in West Allis, Wis., where he oversaw a program for vision-impaired students. When declining enrollment threatened the school’s future, Roger developed a kindergarten program that provided a student pipeline. Holy Assumption continued its fine educational tradition for many years after he moved on to lead at St. Jude in Wauwatosa, where it was a new subject, same lesson: Roger introduced a kindergarten program to boost sagging enrollment. As the student body doubled, he led an expansion program during which he served as principal, construction manager and math teacher. The school received the Exemplary School Award, and Roger earned a citation from the state and recognition as a distinctive administrator. 

Roger retired in 2001, but his record led others to coax him back into administration. After facilitating the merger of four schools into Blessed Savior grade school, he led as principal for eight years. In 2010, Roger retired again — which means teaching math part time at Notre Dame Middle School and serving on its education committee.

Get to Know: Roger A. Baehr

Hometown: Abbotsford, Wis. 

Someone past or present he’d like to have dinner with: His boyhood hero, Hank Aaron

In grade school Roger knew he wanted to be a teacher.

Most influential in Roger’s life: His father for instilling an incredible work ethic and his wife for being there in every way for 43 years.