John Baum

John A. Baum VIRGINIA BEACH - Former Councilman John A. Baum was born, raised and educated in his beloved Virginia Beach. He quietly walked his last mile from his native land Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2010. John was an agricultural engineer, receiving his degree from Virginia Tech after which he entered Naval Officers Candidate School at the end of World War II. He truly was a "farmer" and loved the land. Although he served both Virginia Beach and Chesapeake as an employee of USDA Soil and Conservation Service, he continued farming many acres of land in Virginia Beach where he made his home. This career experience gave him the great knowledge and appreciation for the soil, drainage and environment that inspired his to be the only subsurface (tile) drainage farmland in Virginia Beach. John was one of the first, if not the first, to install water control structures for water quality and crop production as well as land leveling for drainage enhancement. His farm was "the model" for crop production, water quality and wildlife management, (now known as "sustainability"), prompting many regional tours. John was later employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from which he retired many years ago; however, his experience in this field prompted many to seek his advice and lean heavily upon his consultation. In 1990, he was named the "Man of the Year in Agriculture." He was a member of Blackwater Baptist Church; an outstanding Ruritan with more than 60 years of service, serving as president of the Creeds Ruritan Club in 1958. John was a very modest man, accepting great distinction with much humility and seldom spoke of his awards, honors or recognition of conservation leadership. Some of those are: recognition from Virginia Dare Soil and Water Conservation District; Buyers Committee for the Virginia Beach 4-H Livestock Show; Virginia Forestry Wildlife Awards; for many years he was the "Leader of Sustainability" for the number of pine trees planted by any one individual. He was elected to serve the Blackwater District on the Virginia Beach City Council in 1972 and served 28 faithful and dedicated years until the city's population redistricting eliminated the Blackwater District, effective July 1, 2000. He then served as a City Council appointee to the Virginia Beach Planning Commission and the City's Wetlands Board. For many years, he was a member of the Virginia Beach Farm Bureau Board of Directors and a member of their Resolutions Committee; a member of the Farmland Preservation Committee which developed the City's Agricultural Reserve Program to preserve farmland from residential and commercial development assisted by federal funding. His heart was in the community of farmers, but he never failed to respond to a need in any part of the city he loved. He promoted soil drainage and road improvements in the southern part of the city and was one of the few citizens present during the dedication of both the old and the new bridge crossing the North Landing River at Pungo Ferry Road. His roots were deep. He was self-educated as well as a professional. He was a family man, a respected citizen and will be remembered for his tenacity, knowledge, common sense approach, ability to manage more than one thing at a time and respond to every need. A funeral will be held in H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel, Friday Dec. 10, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Blackwater Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions made be made to Blackwater Baptist Church or the Blackwater Baptist Church Perpetual Care Fund, 6000 Blackwater Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23457. Online condolences may be made at www.hdoliver.com.