Bernard Bader Perfected Mass-Produced Cookies

An old photo of Bernard Bader says it all: Mop-cut hair tumbling over his eyes, jumbo cigar gripped in his lips, he stands engrossed in working on a machine to ease production of Baders' Dutch Shortbread cookies.

Since 1930, when he opened his first bakery for Seattle stores, the Dutch-born Bader had been perfecting cookie recipes.

But even before then, he was fascinated with mechanics and able to draft and build unique machinery.

After he sold the cookie business to a brother in 1956, he built machines for other businesses. In the mid-1980s, he joined his son Robert Bader of Yakima to build air- and water-filtration equipment.

"He liked making cookies, but he really loved the machinery part," said his daughter, Sally Mackle of Kirkland. "Even though he had no formal engineering training, he did beautiful drawings and came up with things that did what no machine did before."

In the 1930s he built and patented the first machine in the United States that squeezed out dough for mass-produced cookies, said his daughter.

Mr. Bader, 86, died of heart failure Tuesday (Nov. 25).

Born in The Netherlands, Mr. Bader moved with his family to Vancouver, B.C., in 1926. His older brothers started a cookie business. Four years later Mr. Bader struck out on his own in Seattle.

Using a Dutch recipe, he made shortbread and delivered it to Seattle stores. The cookies sold so well he had to hire help. He borrowed $10 each from his brothers so he could build a mass-production machine at his factory in the lower University District.

He went on to build packaging and wrapping machines as well as sandwich-cookie machines. He did business throughout the western United States and Mexico.

Mr. Bader, an active member of his church, helped found St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Seattle. Gifted with a stirring baritone voice, he directed the choir 17 years.

He also helped direct Catholic Youth Organization activities, including some of the first organized youth-soccer games in Seattle. He coached his sons' teams.

"It was his favorite sport, and he was good at it since he played the game from his early days in Holland," said his son Thomas Bader of Seattle.

Mr. Bader's game of choice was poker or bridge in quieter hours. He enjoyed the mental challenge.

"He is remembered . . . as a man with a real presence. Also kind, gentle and always there to help his family," Mackle said.

Other survivors include his sons Patrick Bader of Kent and Dennis Bader of Spokane, 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. His wife of 54 years, Marjorie Bader, died in 1989; his son James Bader died in 1958.

Services will be at 11 a.m. today at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 8610 Eighth Ave. N.E., Seattle. Remembrances may go to the church.

Carole Beers' phone message number is 206-464-2391. Her e-mail address is: cbee-new@seatimes.com