George Andrew Baum, 89, passed away Nov. 3, 2024, at Medicalodges of Great Bend, Great Bend, Kan. He was born Sept. 30, 1935, in Russell County, Kan., north of Bunker Hill, to Andrew and Katherine (Schmidt) Baum.

George returned to the Midwest in 2016 and had been a Great Bend resident, after living many years in Hemet, Calif. He attended school in Ottawa and later graduated from California State University-Fullerton. He served his country proudly from Aug. 12, 1955, to July 19, 1958, in the U.S. Army, earning the rank of SP 4. Two of those years being served in Maison La Forge, France. As a career aerospace engineer for Northrop with countless credentials, along with his military experience, George’s greatest accomplishments were of international endeavors, such as assisting with designing components for the Stealth aircraft and training Saudi Arabian soldiers. Being civically minded, George was a Past Commander of The American Legion Post 354 and the V.F.W. and their associated youth programs. George enjoyed reading, baseball, football, genealogy, history, and challenging his mind with word and number puzzles and researching and authoring on many topics, spanning from politics to religion. 

Survivors include one brother Jake Baum of Kingsville, Mo.; and two sisters, Hilda Jacobs of Gorham, Kan. and Lydia Kaufman and husband Gary of Great Bend. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Leo Baum, Edward Baum, Kenny Baum and Emil Baum; and by six sisters, Helen Wolford, Mary Mermis, Josephine Shreve, Rosie Thompson, Margaret Bissett and Viola Brown.

Visitation will be 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at Bryant Funeral Home. A private family graveside service will be held at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Russell, Kan., with Joe Cotton presiding. Memorials may be given to the D.A.V., in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS  67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 7, 2024