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Marion Baumgardner Obituary
West Lafayette - Marion F. Baumgardner, 94, passed away at 10:45 am, August 24, 2020 at University Place in West Lafayette, IN. He was born in 1926 on a farm near Wellington, Texas to the late Joseph and Eva (Godfrey) Baumgardner.
Marion graduated from Wellington Texas High School in 1946. He proudly followed the Baumgardner tradition and received his B.S. in agriculture from Texas Tech University in 1950. After three years in India he received his Masters Degree in Soil Science from Purdue University in 1955. In 1956 he had a year of theology study at Yale University. In 1964 he received his Ph.D. also from Purdue University and remained on the faculty.
His marriage was to Maralee Speer on April 10, 1955 in Tipton, IN, she survives.
Marion lived in Texas, India, New Jersey, Connecticut, Lafayette IN, Argentina, and finally West Lafayette since 1967. Marion was an active member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church, where he taught an adult bible study class for 30 years. At University Place he served as resident council president for the first 8 years, shaping the directions, and establishing the quality of life and sense of community enjoyed by the residents.
Marion enjoyed traveling, genealogy, organizing numerous family reunions in different parts of the U.S. and in Switzerland, and reading and writing. Physical fitness was a joy and a priority as well. Most of all he enjoyed his friends and family.
Professionally, Marion was a dedicated teacher, trusted mentor, and honored soil scientist focusing on research in international agriculture with the Laboratory for Applications for Remote Sensing (LARS).
Surviving are his wife, Maralee Baumgardner; sister, Barbara Gordon of Dallas, TX; 3 children, Timothy Baumgardner, Jonathan Baumgardner, and Mary Raub. Also surviving are 4 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
Marion is preceded in death by his parents and 6 siblings, John Henry, Forest, Haynes, Robert, David, and Priscilla Jacobson.
There will be no funeral services held at this time. When it is safe to travel and visit, a celebration of life will be held at St. Andrew United Methodist Church. Arrangements will be announced at the appropriate time.
Memorial contributions may be made in Marion's name to the UPR Foundation at University Place and St. Andrew United Methodist Church.
Share memories and condolences online at www.clapperfuneralservices.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Marion Baumgardner
Minni Sawhney
August 27, 2022
I loved the resilience of Maralee and Marion. Their lives were their message. They kept the faith.
I have a myriad memories of them.
Minni Sawhney
August 27, 2021
I still remember a book he gave me to read in Spain "Iberia" by James Michener and their apartment in Calle Juan Bravo and the Christmas of 1985 when we had lunch together and Maralee and I made birds.
I thank God a man like him walked the earth and I met him.
Minni Sawhney
December 27, 2020
I met Marion in Madrid in 1985 when I was an exchange student from India. I used to travel with Maralee and him in Spain and spent hours motoring and talking with him. We never saw each other again after that but I cherish the memories of that brilliant and kind man who walked this earth. I think its a miracle that I thought of getting in touch with Marion and Maralee again in this year of the pandemic. I will always remember their hospitality and warmth and kindness.
Stephanie Salmon
September 3, 2020
My kids loved when “Grandpa” would come in to Mary’s Kindergarten class and read with them. They would get excited and say- Grandpa is coming to read today! I can’t wait!
He was a great man and will be missed. Condolences to your family ❤.
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Jon Baumgardner
September 3, 2020
My dad took me to Argentina at age 5 for two years, Holland and Europe at age 15 for a year. We visited over 60 countries together. I could never figure out how to do that with my kids. Living in a park like forest on Timbercrest road was awesome and also something I could not duplicate. He architected the Timbercrest house as totally electric and taught me carpentry, electrical work, plumbing and concrete wall building in that house. For a scientist, he had many unrecognized skills. He excelled at all of these skills. Dad was also driven to socialize with people from every background, National origin, race and religion. He welcomed visiting professors and their kids (prospector Purdue students) into our house constantly. I had so many adventures with him I can’t count them all.
Casey Keddington
September 3, 2020
Our deepest condolences to you and your family Tim. May his most fondest memories help you and your family get through this toughest time. It’s the circle of life and it still hard to say goodbye. He will be watching over you and your family. Take care of each other and be safe.
Gail Beck
September 3, 2020
What a tremendous contribution he made, through his leadership, as Past President of Lafayette Kiwanis Club. We will miss him.
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