WILMINGTON — Daniel Harry Baumgarten, 85, beloved husband, father, grandfather and faithful servant of God, was transported to his heavenly home May 16, 2017. “Absent from the body and present with the Lord.” 2 Cor. 5:8.
Daniel was born March 24, 1932, in Madison, Wis.
Daniel is survived by his wife of 21 years, Pat Jenks Harty Baumgarten of their home in Wilmington, and their children, Calvin Baumgarten, and his wife, Shelley (Pennsylvania), Melanie Harty Bailey (North Carolina) and James Harty, and his wife, Rish (Alaska); and eight grandchildren, Katelyn, Rachel and Bryant Bailey, Skyler, Riley and Brooklyn Harty; and Macy and Mia Baumgarten. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and their spouses, who loved him dearly, along with his North Carolina brother-in-law, Albert Jenks, and North Carolina sister-in-law, Monnie Jenks. He will be missed by all who knew him, but what a day of rejoicing it will be when we all get to heaven.
Daniel was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Swan; brother, Paul; and parents Harry and Verna Baumgarten.
Dan’s journey on earth was well lived. He attended school in Mineral Point, Wis., and went on to attend the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He served in the U.S. Navy as an airborne radio operator during the Korean War. He had been a member of the American Legion for well over 30 years.
He loved traveling and did a lot of it on motorcycles. He was an avid ham radio enthusiast and member of the Amateur Radio Missionary Service.
He began his church organist career at age 16 and had sung with several chorale societies and quartets.
Before retiring with 31 years from Smith’s Industries in Michigan as an aerospace engineer in 1997, he used his vacation every summer to tour with Children’s Bible Hour in Michigan as their sound engineer.
He has served on a plethora of boards and committees during his life. He even worked on the stealth bomber back when it was a high-security secret, most likely the reason he was always a man of few words. Lastly, he loved the Lord, the Bible and his family.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 19, at Christ the King Presbyterian Church, 1380 N. College Road, Wilmington. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington with friends and family invited back to the church for lunch and fellowship.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401; or Christ the King Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 1308 North College Road, Wilmington, NC 28405.
Share online condolences with the family at andrewsmortuary.com.