Deborah Lynn Warnaar “Debbie”, died on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at her home in Rockingham County,
Virginia, after living with a rare cancer for five years. She was born on October 22, 1959 in Michigan and grew up
in Grand Haven, on the shores of Lake Michigan. Her parents Donald and Gail (Leonard) Warnaar instilled a love
of celebrating each season with outdoor activities: sledding, ice skating and cross-country skiing in the winter,
followed by camping, hiking, backpacking, bicycling, bicycle touring, and swimming in the summer. She
continued to enjoy these activities (especially bicycling) throughout her life, and added kayaking in recent
years. Music was also a gift from her parents, and an integral part of her life. She began violin at age 5 and
continued to play and perform with academic, community and professional symphonies throughout her life. While
living in Harrisonburg, she performed with the EMU and JMU orchestras, as well as the Waynesboro
Symphony. Prior to that, she was with the Richmond Symphony. Debbie also supported the arts as a long-time
volunteer usher with the Forbes Center. Her short retirement also found her volunteering at the JMU Arboretum
and Ten Thousand Villages.
Debbie graduated from Hope College in 1981 with a BA in Physics. She was also very active in the music
department, which is where she discovered and won over the love of her life, Brian Bauer
(Biology/Trumpet). They married on July 31, 1982, and recently celebrated 40 years together! Debbie earned her
PhD in Chemical Physics from Virginia Commonwealth
University in 1991, and then spent her career teaching in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at James
Madison University 1992-2021. She was recognized with several awards for both teaching and academic
advising. This was her dream career; she truly enjoyed her work, her colleagues and students.
In addition to her career and life with family and friends, Debbie had several grand adventures: one was leading
JMU students in eight study abroad programs to London (2006-2016), another was bicycling for 6 weeks in the
Indian Himalayan Mountains (2016), and a third was her five-year journey with cancer (2017-2022). A fourth and
most life-changing adventure was, together with Brian, raising their daughter, Becca, and getting to know her as an
accomplished adult. All of these adventures challenged her to learn, adapt, and grow, while bringing different
kinds of satisfaction and joy into her life.
Debbie was predeceased by her father Don Warnaar and Brian’s parents Willa and Roger Bauer.
Survivors include her beloved husband of 40 years, Brian Bauer, and their adult daughter Rebecca Bauer. She is
also survived by folks from the previous generation: mother Gail Warnaar, bicycling parents Moira and Graham
Horne, special
aunt Marjie Leonard, and uncles Jim Leonard and Steve Warnaar. Debbie counted herself fortunate to include as
dear friends her sisters and brothers by blood and marriage, as well as their children: Laura and Bruce Hood and
their adult children Ian Hood and Jessie Hood, Linda Warnaar and her son Bohdi Danforth, Randy and Leslie
Bauer and their adult children Steven Bauer and Emma Bauer Elms, and Ken and Kristin Bauer. Debbie felt very
lucky and privileged to be part of this active, fun, loving and supportive family.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Massanetta Springs Camp & Conference Center (Stewart Room, 712
Massanetta Springs Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22801) on Friday, October 29, 2022 at 11:00 AM. Casual attire is
requested. Friends may meet with the family on Thursday, October 28, 2022, 6-8 PM also at Massanetta Springs
and also prior to the celebration on Friday beginning at 10:00 AM. The celebration will be recorded for those unable
to attend in person.
In keeping with her support for science and medicine, Debbie has donated her body to the Virginia State Anatomic
Program, where it will be used in training future surgeons. When returned, her ashes will be interred at Duck Run
Natural Cemetery. Kyger Funeral Home of Harrisonburg is assisting the family with final preparations.
In lieu of flowers, Debbie suggested donation to Shenandoah National Park (SNPTrust.org/donate), Virginia State
Parks (virginiaparks.org/donate), or JMU Chemistry (JMU.edu/give, College of Science & Math, Chemistry
Fund). In addition, she asks that you be kind.
Condolences may be shared at kygers.com
Kyger Funeral Home