Henry "Budd" Baer

BAER
HENRY "BUDD"
Henry "Budd" Baer, died peacefully on February 13, 2007, at the age of 88, surrounded by his family. Budd was born in Wheeling, WV, the son of Herbert Oscar, a Wheeling pharmacist, and his wife, Rena Strauss of Philadelphia. Budd joined the Army Air Corp during World War II, and served as a radio operator in Panama, assisting in the control of air traffic over the Pacific. After the war, he moved from Wheeling to Pittsburgh, where he met Helen Scheimer Baer, his devoted wife of sixty years. After stints as an "I fix everything" repairman and as a partner in Dormont Appliance Center, Budd followed his passion, and opened a one-man used car lot on Potomac Avenue. Over several years, he expanded his business until forming a long partnership with Chuck McMillen. They opened a Dodge and Plymouth agency in Crafton Heights, then sold Ramblers and MGs in Heidelberg and finally Volkswagens and Porsches in Dormont. After these partnerships, Budd and his second son Mark opened Budd Baer, Inc. in Washington, PA, selling various General Motors and foreign brands. It was there that Budd met Ray Rock, who became a life-long confident and friend. Mark continues to operate and expand Budd's well-known and respected automobile store, celebrating sixty years of automobile sales and service in the South Hills area. In addition to his business success, Budd was active during his prime in Beth El Synagogue and as a Mason. He was well known at local Buick Clubs and at the Vintage Grand Prix, where he was a fixture over many years. He owned a small fleet of classic cars, each of which he and his dear friend Dave Keener painstakingly restored, and showed. Budd and Dave spent four years restoring Budd's 1953 Buick Roadmaster, which was retired by the Antique Automobile Club of America as a Grand Champion after finishing first in class two consecutive years at the Hershey PA annual show and concours. Budd will be sadly missed by his Helen, their oldest son, Justice Max Baer of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Max's wife Beth and their sons, Ben and Andy; Mark, his wife Jill and their children, Bryan, Sammi and Adam, as well as Bryan's wife Jenna, their daughter, Ella, Budd's only great-grandchild, and Sammi's husband Greg. Budd will be especially missed by his devoted daughter Lisa Baer Cron of Moon Township, together with her husband Curt, and their children Gregg, Chadd, and Kalli. He also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews. Budd's funeral will be at WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL HOME, 1650 Greentree Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220 on Sunday, February 18, 2007 at 11 am. Visitation for one hour before the funeral. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Beth El Congregation Youth Fund, 1900 Cochran Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220.
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