Gerald Bayer

Gerald F. Bayer of Northbrook, Illinois, died suddenly Thursday, March 25, at age 91.

Jerry was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 12, 1929, the son of Adolph and Eleanor Levy Bayer. His father died when he was very young and he was raised by his mother with the help of his Aunt Mary and Uncle Moe, who Jerry cared for as if they were his parents.

As a youngster, Jerry was proud to be a Columbus Park Bulldog and participated in many sports. Following graduation from Austin High School, which was and still is the largest high school in the world, Jerry attended Wilbur Wright City of Chicago Junior College. From there he moved on to the University of Colorado at Boulder on a football scholarship. When that adventure ended after a year, Jerry transferred to Roosevelt University in Chicago, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in commerce in 1950.

Following graduation Jerry worked as a junior accountant in a small CPA firm while studying for and passing the CPA exam. He eventually became the co-founding partner of Bayer, Kolof and Lev, where he worked until he retired in his early 60s. A respected accountant, Jerry served as president of the Illinois CPA Society and on the board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

In late 1956 Jerry met the love of his life Joan Mae, and they married on June 16, 1957. The first of their four sons was born 17 months later and they celebrated many happy occasions during their 63-plus years of marriage. Jerry was extremely proud of his sons’ participation in Boy Scouts and the fact that all four boys earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

While he worked primarily in downtown Chicago, he and Joan Mae spent the majority of their married life living in the northern suburbs of Skokie and Northbrook.

A member of Temple Sholom in Chicago, Jerry served as head usher on the High Holidays for many years and was an “honorary and lifetime member” of the synagogue’s board of directors.

Jerry was an avid newspaper reader and especially enjoyed reading The Chicago Tribune. He was a loyal Chicago Bears fan and longtime season ticket holder. In his retirement years Jerry and Joan Mae escaped the cold Chicago winters for the Florida sunshine. There they enjoyed watching the ocean, sitting by the pool, golf, and bocce ball, giving Jerry his first ever bocce ball championship. He was a member of several men’s clubs where he relished the opportunity to be with friends and hear interesting speakers.

Jerry was predeceased by his parents, his oldest son Alan, his brother Todd; and Aunt Mary and Uncle Moe. Jerry is survived by his wife, Joan Mae; his three sons and their spouses: David and Barbara Bayer, Overland Park, Kansas; Joel and Renay Bayer, Chicago; and Richard and Hollie Bayer; Napa, California; daughter-in-law Pam Bayer, Los Altos, California; and six grandchildren: Matthew, Rachel, Michael, Sam, Daniel and Madison.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Temple Sholom, 3480 N. Lake Shore, Drive, Chicago, IL 60657 or online at www.sholomchicago.org/donate.

Private graveside service. Please attend via livestream, Tuesday 12 PM. For the link to view the service, shiva information and to leave condolences: Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, www.shalommemorial.org or (847) 255-3520.

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Service Information

Service : Tuesday, March 30th at 12:00 pm
Service Location: Private Service-Live Stream Access -Shalom Memorial Park

Interment:
Shalom Memorial Park
1700 W. Rand RoadArlington Heights