Kenneth Steven Baumgartner

1945 - 2015

Baumgartner Kenneth Steven 01/19/1945 ~ 05/31/2015 ELFIN FOREST, CA -- Kenneth Steven Baumgartner passed peacefully in Elfin Forest, CA, on May 31, 2015 at home with his family after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Ken is survived by his wife, Bonita Baumgartner of Elfin Forest, CA and his daughter, Nikki Baumgartner of Carlsbad, CA, his sister Cathie Baumgartner Slack of Phoenix, New York, his sister Maryanne Baumgartner Wallace of Bernardsville, New Jersey, and his cousin Ronald Pukl of Ringwood, New Jersey. He was preceded in death by his son, Erik Baumgartner. Ken was born on January 19, 1945 in Passaic, New Jersey to Steve Baumgartner and Mary Palfy Baumgartner. He graduated from Rutgers University in 1966 with a degree in Economics and later earned a Master's Degree in City Planning from San Diego State University. He married Bonita Zubanas on September 7, 1968. Ken was an accomplished real estate and development professional in San Diego, CA, for nearly 40 years. Ken was with The Corky McMillin companies for 31 years. He retired as the President of the Corky McMillin Companies in 2010, and went on in his retirement to help found The KirE Companies in 2011 in Poway, CA. He believed that owning a home is part of the American dream, and was proud to make that a possibility for many people. He was active in community affairs and served on the board of directors for the South Bay Family YMCA for over 20 years. He also served on the American Cancer Society Partnership Council for over a decade, was a former Director of Landmark National Bank and a member of Lambda Alpha, a national economics organization. Ken was a current member of the Elfin Forest Fire Board. Ken proudly served in the United States Navy as a dental technician from 1967 to 1972, in active duty and the reserves. Ken was a beloved husband and father, and will be remembered and missed for his compassionate heart, his desire to mentor and help so many young men and women, his love of hiking, his Baja adventures, his love of travel, and his love of family. A Celebration of Ken's Life is scheduled for 1 p.m. on July 10, 2015 at The North Chapel at Liberty Station, 2881 Roosevelt Rd. San Diego, CA 92106. A reception immediately following will be held at The Corky McMillin Event Center located close to the North Chapel. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ken 's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Erik Baumgartner Memorial Fund at the San Diego Foundation, at 2508 Historic Decatur Rd. Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92106; or The American Cancer Society, c/o Vanessa, 2655 Camino Del Rio North, Suite 100 San Diego, CA 92108.