Gary Baughman, 83, passed away on December 9, 2023, in Seattle, WA, with his wife Jeanne and daughter Heidi by his side. Gary was born to Walter and Norma Baughman in Harlan, IA. He graduated from Westside High School in Omaha, NE in 1958 and the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1962, where he played football. He married Jeanne Marshall on August 25, 1962, in Rochester, MN. They raised two children, Curt and Heidi, in Omaha, NE and Boulder, CO where they made their home for 50 years before moving to Seattle in 2019.
Gary worked as an engineer for Western Electric in Omaha and AT&T in Denver, CO until he retired in 1996. His passion was always his many hobbies which included motorcycle trials riding, car racing, glider flying, and becoming a certified flight instructor. He also loved fly fishing, skiing, golf, and travel. For 20 years he was a volunteer fire fighter for the Sugarloaf Fire Protection District in the foothills of Boulder, CO. The world has lost an incredibly amazing man, fiercely dedicated to his family and his volunteer and avocation pursuits.
He is survived by his wife Jeanne, daughter Heidi (Christy), and grandson Marshall. He was preceded in death by his parents Norma and Walter, son Curt, and brother Randal.
A memorial service and burial will be in Boulder, CO next summer with celebrations of life to be held in both Seattle and Boulder. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Sugarloaf Fire Protection District.
I’m heartbroken to share that my dad, Gary Baughman, passed away on Dec. 9th, 2023. He was smart, fun, loyal, and kind, with a great sense of humor. He was an exceptional role model and I looked to him to help shape my own life.
He was married to my mom, Jeanne Baughman, for 61 years. That’s not even counting the 5 years they dated before getting hitched. High school sweethearts are so rare, and seeing them together was inspirational.
While growing up he made our lives so much more fun. Each fall (for many years) he grew a giant pumpkin, the biggest weighing in at 212 lbs, the guy could grow anything. Our dog Barney (who insisted on sleeping outside) was treated to a custom-built dog house complete with a shingled roof, padded carpeting (including the walls), and it was fully insulated. Oh, and he also built their beautiful mountain house in Boulder (with lots of help from friends). He could build just about anything. We enjoyed ski trips, camping, and many trips to Hawaii. I thought he was the coolest dad as he was an engineer by trade, and also a pilot, and a firefighter. He rode and restored motorcycles, raced cars, and flew gliders. Amazing.
In my adult life, we became even closer. We were quite the fix-it duo and loved to brainstorm ideas and create things together. He’d often call and say, “Okay, Heidi, what project should we tackle today?” I learned how to fix or maintain houses and cars by carefully watching him, asking a million questions, and being his assistant on so many projects. He created a single-track mountain biking course on their mountain house property and he rode it with me and Marshall. Three generations mountain biking together, I loved it. I stood back, in awe, as I watched him teach my son how to change a car battery. At the holidays, we had fun making lefse. In the summer, you could find us grilling outside together. So many great memories I will treasure.
If you knew my dad, you probably loved him too. I can’t count how many times he said he was off to help a friend (move, fix, or build something). He was a friend or father figure to many, and I was lucky enough to call him Dad. I loved him so much and I am at peace knowing he knew that. I also know how much he loved me. Believe me, I know just how fortunate I am to have him in my life for 58 years. For that I am truly grateful. I miss him already. Rest in peace, Dad.
Gary and I were great buddies back in Omaha, rode motorcycles a lot together, me on my little 200cc Triumph Tiger Cub. One time a cop pulled us over on south 24th street, telling Gary that he couldn't read the license plate on his bike. "I'd need to be in a helicopter to read it" he told Gary. No ticket, just a warning. I think it was when I was on the back of his bike as a passenger, that we drove over 100MPH one afternoon way out on Dodge. Many were the times we hill-climbed at the Cavalier MC club on west Center, he always made it to the top------somehow. I think it was on an AJS "one lunger" 30.5cc (single cylinder) bike.
Meeting up with him again at Mike's in Boulder, was such a treat after all those years.
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John Ralph
John Ralph
From Gary and Jeanne's daughter Heidi -
I’m heartbroken to share that my dad, Gary Baughman, passed away on Dec. 9th, 2023. He was smart, fun, loyal, and kind, with a great sense of humor. He was an exceptional role model and I looked to him to help shape my own life.
He was married to my mom, Jeanne Baughman, for 61 years. That’s not even counting the 5 years they dated before getting hitched. High school sweethearts are so rare, and seeing them together was inspirational.
While growing up he made our lives so much more fun. Each fall (for many years) he grew a giant pumpkin, the biggest weighing in at 212 lbs, the guy could grow anything. Our dog Barney (who insisted on sleeping outside) was treated to a custom-built dog house complete with a shingled roof, padded carpeting (including the walls), and it was fully insulated. Oh, and he also built their beautiful mountain house in Boulder (with lots of help from friends). He could build just about anything. We enjoyed ski trips, camping, and many trips to Hawaii. I thought he was the coolest dad as he was an engineer by trade, and also a pilot, and a firefighter. He rode and restored motorcycles, raced cars, and flew gliders. Amazing.
In my adult life, we became even closer. We were quite the fix-it duo and loved to brainstorm ideas and create things together. He’d often call and say, “Okay, Heidi, what project should we tackle today?” I learned how to fix or maintain houses and cars by carefully watching him, asking a million questions, and being his assistant on so many projects. He created a single-track mountain biking course on their mountain house property and he rode it with me and Marshall. Three generations mountain biking together, I loved it. I stood back, in awe, as I watched him teach my son how to change a car battery. At the holidays, we had fun making lefse. In the summer, you could find us grilling outside together. So many great memories I will treasure.
If you knew my dad, you probably loved him too. I can’t count how many times he said he was off to help a friend (move, fix, or build something). He was a friend or father figure to many, and I was lucky enough to call him Dad. I loved him so much and I am at peace knowing he knew that. I also know how much he loved me. Believe me, I know just how fortunate I am to have him in my life for 58 years. For that I am truly grateful. I miss him already. Rest in peace, Dad.
Thomas Wilson
Gary and I were great buddies back in Omaha, rode motorcycles a lot together, me on my little 200cc Triumph Tiger Cub. One time a cop pulled us over on south 24th street, telling Gary that he couldn't read the license plate on his bike. "I'd need to be in a helicopter to read it" he told Gary. No ticket, just a warning. I think it was when I was on the back of his bike as a passenger, that we drove over 100MPH one afternoon way out on Dodge. Many were the times we hill-climbed at the Cavalier MC club on west Center, he always made it to the top------somehow. I think it was on an AJS "one lunger" 30.5cc (single cylinder) bike.
Meeting up with him again at Mike's in Boulder, was such a treat after all those years.
My heartfelt concolences to all.
Tom Wilson