Lyle Bauer

Upon retiring from professional football after the 1991 season, Bauer was appointed assistant general manager of the Blue Bombers.^[22][23] He held this role for three years before stepping down to pursue other business ventures,^[24] which led to him relocating to Calgary to become general manager of AgPro Grain.^[1] He was subsequently rehired by the Blue Bombers as president and chief executive officer in February 2000.^[25] At the time of his return, the team was languishing in financial debt of approximately C$5.45 million. Under Bauer's leadership, the Blue Bombers were able to initially reduce their debt to $300,000, before reportedly finishing with a positive balance of about C$5 million by the end of his tenure.^[4][25] He was also instrumental in securing hosting rights for Winnipeg in the 2006 Grey Cup.^[25] Bauer resigned his roles with the franchise on December 17, 2009.^[26] During his executive career, the Blue Bombers played in the Grey Cup four times (1992, 1993, 2001, and 2007).^[10]

In January 2010, the Calgary Stampeders announced that Bauer would be their new chief operating officer and president.^[27][28] He held these positions for three years before resigning in January 2013. He cited the change in team ownership as the reason for his departure,^[29][30] underscoring that it was not related to his health.^[31]

Bauer was married to Heidi for over four decades until his death.^[20][32] They met while studying at Weber State.^[1] Together, they had three children: Danni, Brodie, and Wesley.^[32][20] He resided close to Slocan Lake, British Columbia, during his later years,^[20] and maintained a winter home in St. George, Utah.^[33]

In December 2004, Bauer was diagnosed with stage four throat cancer,^[20][32] even though he never smoked or chewed tobacco.^[25][32][34] He underwent 28 sessions radiation treatments and chemotherapy until February of the following year,^[32][35] and continued to be present at CFL meetings despite being unable to speak.^[35] Although doctors had given Bauer only months to live,^[36] he eventually went into complete remission.^[32] He consequently established the Never Alone Foundation in 2006,^[32] in order to provide support to those affected by cancer as well as their families.^[20][37] By 2016, the charitable organization had raised over C$1 million towards numerous cancer programs.^[32] Bauer's battle with cancer also inspired his son Wesley to cycle across the country from Victoria, British Columbia, to Saint John, New Brunswick, over three months to raise awareness of cancer and money for the foundation.^[38]

Bauer died on April 27, 2024, in Kelowna. He was 65, and was hospitalized with an infection in the weeks prior to his death.^[9][39]