Steve Bauman
Oct 31st, 1952 - Mar 26th, 2026- Birth Date: Oct 31, 1952
- Death Date: Mar 26, 2026
- Funeral Date: Mar 29, 2026 at 11:00 am
- Location: Congregation B'nai Israel, 3700 N Rodney Parham Rd., Little Rock AR 72212
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Biography:
Steve Bauman, 73, passed away in Little Rock on March 26, 2026. He and his twin sister, Merrill, were born in Little Rock on Halloween, 1952.
Steve was predeceased by his parents Barbara Grundfest Bauman and Stanley M. Bauman, Jr, and his brother and music partner, David Charles Bauman.
Steve is survived by Jill Reikes Bauman, his devoted wife of 46 years and best friend of 55 years, his children Jay M. Bauman and his wife, Allison, and Barrie Bauman Silverman and her husband, Cole, and his grandchildren Blake and Beau Silverman. Steve was thrilled to know that Allie and Jay are expecting a child shortly. Steve is also survived by his sister Merrill Bauman Stern and her husband Michael and Steve’s brother’s widow Kathy Garon Bauman and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins who he loved very much.
A lifelong resident of Little Rock, Steve attended Little Rock public schools and was a member of the Hall High Class of 1970 and was a member and past president of Congregation B’nai Israel.
Steve attended college at his beloved Tulane University in New Orleans. He was a member of the ZBT fraternity where he became close friends with an extraordinary and accomplished group of brothers who meet together regularly to this day.
Steve received his law degree from Tulane and his Masters of Law in Taxation from New York University. In a career exceeding 40 years, Steve was fortunate to have practiced with a number of the icons of the Little Rock legal community. Steve retired from the Rose Law Firm.
With Jill’s indulgence, Steve was never without a dog. Steve enjoyed the unconditional love of Sunshine, Daisy, Chloe, Emma and Little Jimi Hendrix.
Golf was a big part of Steve’s adult life; especially the friendship of his regular Saturday morning group, The Hack Attack.
But, his favorite activity was singing and playing guitar, especially with his brother, David. They performed together at Tulane, their temple and in their Rock and Roll cover band, the B Flats.
His family brought Steve the most pleasure. Jill and Steve first met in Hattiesburg, Mississippi in 1970, attended Tulane together and married in 1979. Jill was Steve’s loving and supportive companion and never ceased laughing at his jokes. He was very proud of his son, Jay (PhD), and his daughter, Barrie (DPT) and the adults they have become.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 11 am at Congregation B’nai Israel, 3700 Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, AR 72212. There will be a private interment at Oakland Jewish Cemetery. The family requests that donations be made to either Congregation B’nai Israel- Bauman Music Fund or Arkansas Hospice- Michael Aureli Endowment Fund, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, AR 72116.
Funeral services entrusted to RuebelFuneralHome.com
I was especially sorry to have missed seeing Steve and Merrill at the pandemic-delayed 50-year Hall HS reunion. And, I was looking forward to catching up with you both at the next one, if not before. I have many fond memories -- from school, in student council in junior high and Spanish classes for years thereafter, to parties at home and a trip to Lake Catherine. It is not surprising to see that Steve continued serving his community, having demonstrated leadership in his youth and later becoming president of Congregation B’nai Israel.
Steve was kind to send condolences to my family when he read that my brother-in-law had died a few years ago.
My thoughts are with all of Steve's family and friends who will surely miss him.
What a great guy Steve was. Even though we orbited in different circles after high school, I will never forget what a class act your whole family was. Steve was a smart but humble man with integrity, a great sense of humor and apparently some music and golf talent too!
I will continue to say his name and keep some wonderful memories alive.
I pray that God comfort you and your family during this difficult time.
Many years of gone by, but I haven’t forgotten what wonderful people all you Baumans were.
Charley Collins
Hall ‘70