Kurt Helmuth Baum, age 76, passed peacefully on July 18th due to complications of a stroke. He leaves his wife, the love of his life (his high school girlfriend), Gail Deborah Davis, both 1965 graduates of R L Thomas High School. Kurt had open heart surgery at a very young age and was not expected to live past 30, but he went on to be a weight lifter, wrestler, football player and champion shot putter. He sure showed them! But the Air Force saw his surgery as a health risk and refused to enlist him during the Viet Nam War. That may be why we lost.
He leaves his brother, Greg (Lois) and nephew, Brad. He also leaves a sister-in-law, Ginny Hochberg (Dr. Charles). In addition, he leaves a step-family, daughters Kim Moffitt and Amy Requa, as well as two grandchildren, Cassie Dean (Matt Pulos) and Sean Orner (Janelle) and a great-granddaughter, Flora Love Orner.
Kurt had a great sense of humor, amazing math skills, super strength, and was devoted to his family and friends. A special thanks go to his fantastic caregivers for the past four years since his stroke, Christine DiSalvo, Craig Wilson and Cathy Swanberry, without whom I wouldn’t have remained the sweet, easy-going person I am.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, August 6th from 2-5 pm at Perinton Recreation (indoors) on Turk Hill Road. Please bring a funny story, song, poem or hug for his wife. Come hungry.
This fall there will be a cool fresh breeze against your cheek you will smile and know he is with you always.
Kurt and I had some great times together. My basso “brother” in high school choir, Roadtripping in my newly acquired TR-4, swapping my parents convertible for his GTO for dates. (If they only knew). ‘Puttin’ the Shot on Zip’s track team and many more my ‘feeble’ mind seems to have filtered out. A great guy and I’m sure a great husband to Gail