When Becky and her husband, Joe, relocated to Topeka, Kansas, in February 1977, they were starting their married life together (at the age of 21) in a new city with no friends or family. Topeka was a big and daunting city to a couple of small-town farm kids, but that move started them off in what would be a journey of discovery, ups and downs, perseverance and optimism.

Becky’s story began on a farm in Southwest Nebraska with her parents and five siblings. Her dad was a farmer and her mom was a homemaker. After receiving the first six years of her education in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Nebraska, Becky attended junior high and high school in Culbertson, Nebraska, where she joined a class of 18 boys and girls. After graduating in 1974, Becky studied business education at the University of Nebraska and Kearney State College before getting married to her high school sweetheart, Joe. “I remember my Mother always warning me about dating a “Kansas boy,” but in the end, it turned out OK,” Becky said with a grin.

“All of the Bauer siblings observed and learned from two hard-working, selfless and loving parents who challenged us to do our very best in whatever we were involved in. My dad was adamant that we all have the opportunity to go to college. I can still hear his words, ‘Kids, get an education as it is the one thing that no one can ever take away from you,’” shared Becky. Newly married, but driven to succeed, Becky continued her college education by attending night school at Washburn University, eventually earning a degree in finance.

Becky started her banking career in 1976 when she joined what was then First Federal Lincoln. She and two others opened a new branch in McCook, Nebraska, close to where she grew up. After marrying Joe and relocating to Topeka in 1977, Becky went to work for Capitol Federal Savings and Loan and then Merchants National Bank, before landing a job at the Kansas Bankers Association in October 1980. “I will be eternally grateful to Harold Stones for taking a chance on a shy, somewhat naïve, 24-year-old farm girl from Nebraska. Without his patience, mentorship and leadership, I would not be here today.” Following Harold came KBA Presidents Jim Maag and Chuck Stones, from whom she learned a lot. “I am grateful for their friendship and counsel even today,” said Becky.

If Becky has one regret about her impending retirement, it is the limited amount of time she’s had to work with KBA’s current president and CEO, Doug Wareham. For those of you acquainted with Doug, you know that his leadership, enthusiasm and quest for excellence are contagious. “Doug has challenged me every day (in a positive way), and I hope I’ve challenged him right back,” quipped Becky. “He and the entire KBA staff are like family to me — we look out for one another in good times and not-so-good times. It’s pretty hard to imagine my life without them.”