Andrew Henry Ballauer

Andrew Henry Ballauer, 73, of St. Petersburg, Florida, died Monday, September 14, 2026, while traveling with Susan, his wife of 51 years, on a cruise off the coast of Greenland.

Early Life and Education
Andrew was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from Colerain High School, earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and received a Master of Science in Education from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Andrew and Susan raised their two children in Tipp City, Ohio. After retiring, they moved to Madeira Beach, Florida.

A Life of Teaching and Service
Like his father before him, Andrew wanted to serve his country. He often recalled that blindness in one eye and childhood polio prevented him from enlisting. When he told a military recruiter that all he wanted was the opportunity to serve, the recruiter replied that, as a teacher, he could serve his country every day. Andrew never forgot those words, and he spent his career proving them true. Andrew devoted most of his career to teaching at Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio, where generations of students knew him simply as Mr. B. He worked tirelessly to engage them, bringing humor and a touch of magic to his lessons. He was named Wayne High School Teacher of the Year multiple times, was a finalist for Ohio Teacher of the Year, and received several prestigious teaching awards and grants, including a Toyota Tapestry Grant and the Christa McAuliffe Award. His influence extended far beyond the classroom. Former students remembered him and shared stories about him long after graduation; one even named a street in his honor. Andrew’s legacy of service continues through his son, Thomas, who also became an educator and shares his father’s belief in the importance of showing up for students each day. The American flag that belonged to Andrew’s father, Walter, now hangs in Thomas’s classroom, quietly connecting three generations of the Ballauer family and the different ways each served their country.

The Man Behind Mr. B
Andrew was intelligent but never sought recognition for it. He was humble, dependable, curious about others, and almost always ready with a joke. He could strike up a conversation with nearly anyone and had a gift for putting people at ease. He loved music, was an avid collector, and enjoyed both hearing and telling a good story. He was also a man of routine. He rose early to swim and work out at the YMCA before heading to Wayne, ready for whatever a school full of teenagers might bring. That routine reflected the discipline, reliability, and consistency he brought to both his work and his life

Family
Although Andrew loved teaching, his family remained at the center of his life. Susan was truly the love of his life. During their 51 years of marriage, they raised a family, traveled, laughed, faced challenges, and watched their family grow. Their life together included great adventures and important milestones, but their marriage was also built on thousands of ordinary days spent side by side—and Andrew was happiest by her side. He was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren and always wanted to know what was happening in their lives. He celebrated their accomplishments, worried about them, laughed with them, and cherished having everyone together. His grandchildren called him PopPop, a title he wore with great pride. He loved birthdays, half-birthdays, family gatherings, shared meals, cake and ice cream, and any reason to bring together the people he loved. His family never had to wonder whether he loved them or was proud of them; he made sure they knew, often saying, “I love you.”

Survivors
Andrew is survived by his beloved wife, Susan Beth (Hoover) Ballauer; his daughter, Sarah Beth (Ballauer) Dowdy, and her husband, Russell, of Paducah, Kentucky; his son, Thomas Andrew Ballauer, and his wife, Victoria, of Fairborn, Ohio; his granddaughters, Katelyn Elizabeth Birman of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, Abigail Nicole Birman of Fort Worth, Texas, and Norah Lynn Ballauer and Lillian Joy Ballauer of Fairborn, Ohio; his grandson, Andrew Dean Birman of Paducah, Kentucky; and his sister, Zola (Ballauer) Frank of Cincinnati, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Zola Ballauer, and his brother, Allen Christopher Ballauer.

Legacy
Andrew devoted his life to teaching, serving, and showing up for others. He was Mr. B to generations of students, PopPop to the grandchildren who adored him, Dad to his children, and a devoted husband who remained by Susan’s side for more than half a century. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his family, his students, and the many people whose lives were enriched by knowing him.

Arrangements
Arrangements are being handled by Carnell’s Funeral Home Ltd., 329 Freshwater Road, P.O. Box 8567, St. John’s, NL A1B 3P2. Telephone: 709 722 2730. Fax: 709 722 4998. Email: info@carnells.com.

Celebration of Life

A celebration of Andrew’s life and the distribution of his ashes will take place on November 22, 2026, in Madeira Beach, Florida. Please RSVP on Facebook or by text at 937-797-1919.