Clarence Bahs

Clarence W. Bahs  (Sonny) died, Saturday, May 20th 2023 after a brief illness.

He leaves the love of his life Barbara (Boldt) Bahs, his Daughter Elisabeth Bahs-Ahern of Point of Rocks Maryland, her husband, Mark, his daughter Melissa Bahs-Mooney of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and her husband Brian – as well as two beloved grandchildren – Zachary Ahern and Max Mooney as well as numerous close friends and former students.  Born and raised in Port Clinton, Ohio, the only child of Clarence L. Bahs and Madeline (Ohlemacher) Bahs. He was fortunate throughout his career to have lived In East Lansing, Michigan, Laramie, Wyoming, Nacogdoches, Texas, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.. He graduated with a B.S. degree (Cum Laude) in 1966, M.A. degree in 1967 and a Ph.D. in 1969 from Bowling Green University in Ohio. He grew up with his wife Barbara and they were highschool sweethearts.  They were married on  August 10th of 1963 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Port Clinton, Ohio and were fortunate enough to have celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary with their family in Arrowtown, New Zealand where they renewed their vows. Clarence and Barbara were married for 59 years.

Clarence started his professional career as an Assistant Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Theatre Department at Michigan State University (1969-1973). In 1973 he became Associate Professor and director of Graduate Studies in Theatre at the University of Wyoming and in 1980 became a Full Professor and Chair of the Department of Theatre. In 1988, Clarence became Chair of the Department of Theatre at Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas and later its first Director of the School of Theatre  until his retirement in 2007.  In 2008, he was awarded Professor Emeritus status. He took particular pride in having established a liaison between the School of Theatre and Professional Theatre Companies in Houston, Dallas, Milwaukee, and Tucson and having established an international Theatre program (Acting USA) with Rose Bruford, College, London, England. The program was recognized in the Houses of Parliament, Great Britain in 1995 with a formal reception for SFA dignitaries.

He had a passion for travel and he and Barbara were able to travel the Globe: Australia, Europe, Asia, and most of the fifty States. He was always interested in learning about other cultures and other people.  He also had a passion for animals and in particular his King Charles Cavaliers and his Scottish Folds.

In Nacogdoches, he served as an Elder in Westminster Presbyterian Church, on the Board of Directors of East Texas Health Horizons, had been a member of the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce and Nacogdoches Rotary.

For the past 5 years, he has resided in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

No funeral services will be held. Memorial Contributions may be made to Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.