Nelson Robert Bauld, Jr.

Nelson Robert Bauld Jr., passed away peacefully in his home on February 22, 2023, at the age of 91. He was born on May 18, 1931, in Clarksburg, West Virginia.

After graduating from Victory High School in 1949, he served in the U.S. Army in the Big Red One Division, stationed in Germany. In addition to his duties as a serviceman, he was selected to pitch for the Army’s baseball team that traveled to various U.S. military bases throughout Europe. Following his service, he attended West Virginia University on the GI Bill where he received his bachelor and master degrees in mechanical engineering. He was awarded his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana in 1963 and joined the faculty of Clemson University later that same year. He retired from teaching in 1989. In retirement, he wrote an instructional book Mechanics of Materials for undergraduate engineering students that was adopted by numerous institutions. Among his many sources of pride and joy were the successes and friendships of his many graduate students along with special research projects with NASA and Langley Air Force Base.

Outside of his professional life, his creative outlet was his carving. As a young boy, he would carve his guns and rifles; as a retired professor, he crafted an amazing collection of eagles, swans, horses and other figures. He built 4 grandfather clocks – one for each of his children. Looking around his home, you can find some piece of furniture in every room that he would build whenever Mary said “Bob, I need….”.

Beyond his professional and creative talents, his happiest and most celebrated moment in life was the day he met his lifelong partner and best friend, his wife Mary. Together, they shared 68 years of marriage, raised 4 children, and shared their love of life with their 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. To many people, he was Bob Bauld; to some of his students, flunk ‘em all Bauld; to his children, Dad; to his grand- and great grandchildren, he was Pop. He loved a good joke and a good prank. We are forever thankful for the many life lessons he gifted to us.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Gonzalez Bauld, parents Nelson Robert Bauld Sr and Catherine Virginia Stuart Bauld, sister Betty L Hayes and 2 great grandchildren. He is survived by his brother Nathan L Bauld (Jane) of Austin TX, sister Harriet G Williams (Jerry) of Blythewood SC and by his children Kathleen Hensen (Jack) of Clemson, Greg Bauld (Denise) of Pendleton, Barbara Lewczyk (Mike) of Evans, GA and Janet Coffey (Mark) of Savannah, GA and 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2023, at Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Clemson where he was a member for 60 years. A reception will follow the Mass in the parish hall.

Memorials may be made to the South Carolina Botanical Garden (earmark: Canopy Walk, Children’s Garden, 150 Discovery Lane, Clemson, SC 29634 or donate online at Support the SC Botanical Garden (clemson.edu)) or to the Saint Andrew Catholic Church Building Fund (P O Box 112, Clemson, SC 29633).  

Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home is assisting the Bauld family.