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Sports and Learning

W. David Bauer took part in a triathlon the weekend before the World Trade Center was attacked. At 45, he did better in the bicycling, running and swimming competition than he had expected to, said his wife, Ginny. He went to his sons' football scrimmage. He grilled steaks and drank cabernet wine with friends they entertained at their Rumson, N.J., home.

"It was a perfect weekend," Mrs. Bauer said. It was also the sum of what he loved best: sports, family, friends and competition.

Mr. Bauer was head of global sales for eSpeed, a division of Cantor Fitzgerald. The job came a year ago after a series of promotions at Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers and Credit Suisse.

Mrs. Bauer said sports was a big part of their family life. But her husband was constantly telling his children that lifelong learning was important, too. To one son who loved playing basketball, he would say: "Just be the smartest basketball player."

Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on October 14, 2001.