Edwin Leo Bauer was a notable American architect who significantly shaped the architectural landscape of Honolulu, Hawaii. Originally from San Francisco, he moved to Honolulu and built an influential career, contributing to Hawaii's post-World War II construction boom with designs that were celebrated for their innovative use of space and adaptation to the tropical climate.
His work, which defined an era of Hawaii Mid-Century Modern architecture, included residential buildings, hotels, and churches. In his later years, Bauer's health declined as he began to suffer from Alzheimer's disease and had severely limited vision. He lived with his son in a Waikiki apartment during this time.
The circumstances surrounding his disappearance are perplexing and have left a lasting mystery. In the spring of 1984, at the age of 78, Edwin Bauer vanished during what was a routine outing for him. He was last seen on the morning of March 26, 1984, boarding a bus along Kuhio Avenue in Honolulu but did not return to his home that evening. His health conditions, particularly his Alzheimer's, were a significant cause for concern as such conditions can lead to disorientation and confusion. An immediate report was made to the authorities, prompting an extensive search by the Honolulu Police Department.
Despite widespread efforts, including public notices and island-wide searches, no trace of him was ever found. The family offered rewards for any information that could lead to his whereabouts, but no viable leads emerged, and investigators were unable to determine where he might have left the bus. After five years without any sightings or information, his four adult children petitioned the court, and he was legally declared dead in 1989. The case remains an unsolved mystery for the Honolulu Police Department, a poignant and unresolved final chapter in the life of a man who contributed so much to the character of the city where he was last seen.Last Seen: Mar 26, 1984
