Robert E. Baum Sr.

Robert Baum Sr., 92, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Friday, November 29, 2019 at the Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. His Memorial Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2019 in St. Mary Catholic Church, Dell Rapids. Visitation will be one hour prior to the start of the mass in the church. 

Memorials may be directed to Mothers Healing Garden.

Robert (Bob) Eugene Baum Sr. was born in New Richmond, WI to Margaret and Herbert Baum on October 5 1927. Robert married Loraine on April 29, 1950 in Chicago.

Bob enlisted in the Navy after high school and earned his electrical engineering degree while in the service. While still in Chicago, Bob joined Sencore  and became a major force in their growth, advancing to Vice President. Sioux Falls was chosen to be the new home for Sencore and Bob moved his family to rural Dell Rapids in 1969. Bob and Loraine were blessed with 62 years of marriage.

Bob was an active member of the community. He was a member of the Lions club, bowled many years on a local bowling league and was a lifetime member of the Dell Rapids golf course. Golf was his passion and he was well known for walking the course even into his eighties.

Bob enjoyed finding solutions for any problem that would arise and he taught his children to always seek the solution rather than focus on the problem. He was self motivated and taught himself to oil paint, he was also gifted in carpentry; upon moving into the family home he proceeded to completely change the floor plan and with the help of his children turned the house into a home.

After retiring from Sencore he became a mainstay for Habitat for Humanity putting in 25 years of volunteering. In 2015 they awarded him a plaque recognizing his loyal service, which he displayed proudly.

Those who will keep his memory alive are his children, son, Robert Jr. and Carol Baum of Dell Rapids, daughter Mari and Paul Ginsbach of Dell Rapids, son, Don and Kim Baum of Dell Rapids, son, Marty and Tracy Baum of Dubois WY, son, Carl and Shelli Baum Kansas City MO, daughter, Anne Douglas and her fiancee Gordon Fossum Jr. of Sioux Falls. His 21 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild on the way. His brother Gary and Paula Baum, brother- in-law Don Strohbeen, brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Mary Lou Derwent.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother, his sisters Bettie and Dolores, his loving wife Loraine her parents and sister, his son-in-law Bill and his two grandchildren Jeremy and Megan.

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