David R. Baetzel

David Rehbein Baetzel 83, of Hartwell, Georgia, passed away peacefully at Home on June 2, 2025. Born on May 13, 1942 to Evelyn and Warren Baetzel in Pittsford, NY, Dave was an only child. He grew up on a dairy farm in Pittsford, NY and raised award winning dairy cows. He graduated from Pittsford High School, attended Morrisville College, and graduated from The University of Georgia in 1964 with a BSA - Food Science. He then served in the United States Army National Guard as a Culinary Specialist. Dave started his professional career at Gerber Baby Foods in upstate New York, then moved to Gold Seal Winery. In 1978 he moved his family to Eden, NC, to work at the newly opened Miller Brewing Company brewery. After retiring from Miller, he and Kay moved to Georgia where he went to work for Huddle House, then Atlanta Bread, and after retiring from both of those jobs, did consulting for a microbrewery in Atlanta. His career was focused on safely shipping beer, and later food, all over the country. He was instrumental in implementing new, advanced shipping technologies, including a pop and lock stacking system, and shrink wrapping pallet system, and was widely respected for his work ethic and dedication.
Dave married Kay Weldon on June 26, 1965. They were happily married for 60 years and he cherished every day he got to spend with his Katie. Dave was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Hartwell. He loved gardening, and had an enviable green thumb. He established 2 massive gardens in Eden, growing, freezing, and canning food to enjoy year round. He was a beekeeper, raised cows, and spoiled several ponies, horses, dogs, and cats, with his calm presence, and lots of treats. Dave was a wonderful father, steadfast and kind, opening the world to his daughters, and always being a safe place to land. He was lifelong fan of dirt track racing, modified racing, and NASCAR. While working for Miller Brewing Dave was a charter member of the Miller Motor Sports Club, and was honored by Miller, for his distinguished service to the company, as the Grand Marshall of the Miller 500 Classic in Martinsville, VA on March 11, 1990. He and Kay ultimately built their retirement home on Lake Hartwell, where he continued to be a farmer for life. In retirement he established another beautiful garden including the best tomatoes ever eaten, and began canning Chow-Chow, from a recipe he charmed out of Kay's grandmother Drucilla Stovall. He was the joint administrator of summer camp for his grandchildren, taking them to swim team practices, many breakfasts, and on wonderful vacations. He put in a massive bird feeder, built several bird houses, and enjoyed spending hours watching his birds. Dave was a friend for life, establishing lifelong friends that remained in touch even after they scattered all across the country. He made new friends easily, enjoying regular breakfast and lunch meetings with his retirement friends. He was an accomplished cook, and enjoyed inventing soups and trying new recipes. He also enjoyed traveling extensively with his family, especially on regular trips to Myrtle Beach SC, and Cherokee NC. Dave was a Bulldogs sports fan and attended many UGA football, and basketball games, and loved watching Braves baseball.
He is survived by his wife, Kay Baetzel; his daughters Cindy and Bridget; grandchildren, Ashleigh and Zack, brothers and sisters in law, Tommy and Shelia Weldon, Jean and Ted Penrod, his first cousins Kathy Little, Rick and Diane Kurtz, his nieces and nephews and many more cousins. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, H. Warren and Evelyn Baetzel.
Dave's dedication to his family, and his sly sense of humor will be deeply missed but remembered with love by his friends and family.
The family will receive friends Friday morning from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell. Other times the family will be at their respective homes.
Funeral services for Mr. David Baetzel will be held Friday, June 6, 2025 at 12:00 noon in the Chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell with Pastor David Thompson officiating. Burial will be in the Nancy Hart Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in David's name to Faith Lutheran Church, 691 Benson St, Hartwell, GA 30643.
The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.
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