Donald A. Baumann Sr.

Donald A. Baumann, Sr. 9/18/27- 8/28/25
A service celebrating the life of Donald A. Baumann, Sr. of Middletown will be held on Friday, September 5 at 10 AM, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Keyport.
Donald Baumann was born on September 18, 1927, in Queens, NY to parents Mary (Post) and Ferd Baumann. His sister Barbara joined him two years later.
As a young man, Donald earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School, then enlisted in the Navy at age 17 in 1945. Donald served as an Aviation Electronic Technician's Mate; he witnessed the atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll while serving on the USS Shangri-La.
Donald then attended Columbia University, where he earned both Bachelor's and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering. At the same time, he met and dated the love of his life, Bertha Frances Reiffert. The couple was married on June 18, 1950.
Don & Bert made their home in Middletown and had three children: Donald Jr; Kathryn; and Mark. He was a devoted husband and father.
Donald was hired out of college by Robert Doak at Lavoie Labs (Robert was father of Don's future daughter-in-law, Michele), where he engineered radio equipment.
However, his career in computer engineering spanned the development of the entire field. Donald first designed analog computer systems at Electronic Associates (EAI) in Eatontown. He then followed the ascendance of digital computing as chief engineer at InterData / Perkin-Elmer Data Systems in Tinton Falls.
Donald was thrust into the role of widower with the sudden passing of Bert in 1986. Through this challenging transition, he continued his devotion to his family, church, and community.
After retirement, Donald enjoyed a second career as Pop-Pop/ Grandpa and was an active volunteer. Donald's family grew to include 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, in whose lives he remained actively involved.
Donald's grandchildren included: Aimee, Renee, & Monique Baumann; Brian, Jessica, & Michael Swanson; and Zak and Karli Baumann.
He was equally devoted to his eight great-grandchildren: Jax, Ronan, Luke, Joshua, Emma, Yvette, Madelyn, and Lukah.
Donald remained a dedicated member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church for over 7 decades. During that time, he served as Luther League Leader, Church Council member, Sunday School Teacher, Lay Reader, Lay Worship Leader, Communion Assistant, and Church Treasurer.
Donald actively helped others in his community, as well. He read stories to elementary school students; he appeared as "Farmer Don", then Santa at Good News Preschool. Donald served hot lunch at the Keyport Food Pantry, participated in walks to end hunger and fight cancer, and even helped with the Poricy Park Ghost Walk and Tavern Night.
Donald was preceded in death by his wife Bertha, and son-in-law Peter Swanson.
Gifts in Donald's memory may be made to any of the following: Gethsemane Lutheran Church (60 Maple Pl, Keyport, NJ 07735); ELCA Good Gifts https://goodgifts.elca.org/ ; Keyport Food Pantry https://keyportfoodpantry.org/