David Emerson Baum

David Emerson Baum, 86, died peacefully at Grand View Hospital, in Sellersville, on June 28, 2021.

Born at Grand View, he was the only child of Robert Emerson Baum and Julia (Benner) Baum. His cousin and principal caregiver, Holly Harter, along with a vibrant network of cousins in Bucks County, Arizona, Florida, California, Oregon, Nevada, and Ohio, survive him.

At age three, David contracted polio and endured challenges that prevented him from enjoying what many might consider a normal life. At the encouragement of his family, he worked to develop some mobility and was able to ride a bike and attend school dances at Pennridge High School, from which he graduated in 1954.

It was the time that David spent with his grandparents, Walter Emerson Baum and Flora (Barndt) Baum, that made his life unique. Walter, a well-known Pennsylvania Impressionist artist, founded the Baum School of Art in Allentown and helped found the Allentown Art Museum. Despite his debility, David was an apt model for Walter from childhood until Walter's death in 1956. He not only enjoyed his grandfather's company in the studio but also for ice cream afterwards. When not modeling, David often accompanied Flora and Walter to the art school.

David's father Robert, or "Bert," built houses, and David enjoyed assisting with the construction. His father encouraged him to set up an art framing business, and David supplied local artists with modest handmade frames. Later, after Walter died, David's parents moved in to care for Flora, and Bert became an art dealer. David became quite informed about art and with the advent of computers, he became remarkably self-educated.

After the death of his parents, David retired to an independent living apartment at the Lutheran Community at Telford, where he spent his last dozen years - affectionately called "The Mayor" by all who knew him. His popularity was the result of his always cheerful disposition and sense of humor.

Cousin Holly said: "He was a happy guy until the end…he enjoyed hearing passages read to him, including his favorite tale, The Wizard of Oz… How fitting for David, to be finally able, with both feet skipping and arms outstretched, to dance along a brick yellow road towards a land of emerald green and prairie blue skies… like a WE Baum painting … one just for David."

Graveside services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Baum School of Art (www.baumschool.org) or The Leukemia Research Foundation (www.allaboutbloodcancer.org) or The American Heart Association of Philadelphia ( https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/pennsylvania/philadelphia ).

Betty Meier Steeley Funeral Home, Sellersville

www.steeleyfuneralhome.com