Richard "Butch" Baer

Monson- Richard "Butch" Baer, 96, passed away Monday, June 5, 2023 surrounded by love of family.  Butch was born in Worcester, March 17, 1927 to the late Frank "Fritzie" P. and Louise M. (Wredberg) Baer.  Butch grew up in Springfield and raised his family in Monson.  He was honorably discharged from the US Army in the year of 1946. In his younger years, Butch spent many hours at the Indian Motorcycle plant learning how motorcycles were made.  He became a master tool maker by trade and developed many tools including the Safe-T-Cut knife.  He was the owner of Baer Cycle Sales in Springfield for over 20 years. Butch was a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast and in his retirement years he enjoyed vintage racing. He became a National Champion of Vintage racing and is also in the Springfield Indian Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame.  He enjoyed traveling, golfing and restoring Indian motorcycles with his grandson Michael. He also published several books, was in a motorcycle documentary and held a tool patent. Most of all he loved his morning crossword puzzles with his partner, Mary. 

Butch leaves the love of his life and partner of 34 years Mary Webster of Monson; children, Chris Clark and her partner Bob Marouski of Laconia, NH, Tim Baer and his wife Nancy of Wales, MA, Rick Baer and his wife Debbie of Monson, Ginger Beaulieu of Monson, Lori Baer and her partner Tom Parker of Monson, Barbara Nooney and her husband Mark of Satellite Beach, FL, ten grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren; a sister, Ruth Arnold and brother, James Baer both of Concord, NH.  Butch was predeceased by his wife D. Priscilla (McMahon) Baer in 1965; son in-law, Michael Beaulieu; brothers, Tom and Bobby Baer.

Services will be held Friday, June 30th 2023.  A motorcycle procession will form at Lombard Funeral Home 3 Bridge Street Monson, MA from 9:30-10:30am and then proceed to Bethany Cemetery on Bethany Road in Monson for an 11am graveside service. Friends are asked to gather at the cemetery for the service.

In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial contribution in Butch's name to the Shriners Hospital for Children 516 Carew Street Springfield, MA 01104.  

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