ROBERT BAUM

ROBERT B. BAUM retired Judge, 314th State District Court.  May 1, 1920-February 5, 2012.  For more than 15 years, Judge Baum served Harris County citizens as a juvenile and family law judge (1979-1995).  Bob and his wife, Connie, joined with family and friends to celebrate 70 years of marriage on November 28, 2011.  Mrs. Baum passed away December 19. Remembering Connie and Bob with love and gratitude are their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren:  daughters Lorelei de la Reza and husband Rey, and Dolores (dec.); sons Patrick, Richard and wife Jackie, and daughter-in-law Pam; granddaughters Michele de la Reza and husband Peter Kope, Lisa Irwin and husband Ross, and Lauren Baum; grandsons Marc Klureza and wife Eliza, and Peter Baum; great-grandchildren Maggie, Caroline, Xander, Violet, Isaac, and Abigail.
The generations of family who knew and loved Papa, enjoyed his humor, frequent family dinners, and appreciated his many interests which included playing and coaching softball, his dogs, the beach, the space program, the Oilers and Astros, growing sweet corn and vine-ripened tomatoes, playing piano and singing with family, and attending his children's singing and musical theatre performances. He was an avid jogger, and played handball at the Downtown YMCA where he served on the Board of Management.  He was active in his church, Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist, in his community including the Sharpstown Civic Club, and in the Republican Party. He earned a B.S. in Geology from the University of Chicago in 1941, made a career as an executive in the seismograph and petroleum industry, and then attended night classes to earn his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in 1965 - thus excelling in three careers as a geophysicist, lawyer, and judge. 
Bob was known for his exemplary character and personal integrity, love for his family, and dedication to the safety and welfare of children and families in Harris County.  He was admired for his judicial temperament, professionalism, legal talent, and generosity.  He served as vice-chairman of the Harris County Juvenile Board, as a member of the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, and taught at South Texas College of Law and Houston Community College.  As judge, he helped develop the innovative program in which juvenile offenders are taken to a state prison to see the consequences of criminal behavior.  He was instrumental in creating a monetary and community restitution program to compensate victims of juvenile crime and introduced the concept of associate judges to assist with court dockets. 
Baum family, P. O. Box 66688, Houston, TX  77266. In lieu of flowers, friends may show generosity toward those in need.