Stanley Howard Birnbaum

Obituary of Stanley Howard Birnbaum
Stanley Howard Birnbaum died from pneumonia after suffering for many years from serious back pain on June 14, 2025 at his home in Circle Pines, Minnesota at the age of 73.
Born in New York City on September 24, 1951, he was the son of Melvin Birnbaum and Muriel (Mickey) Benjamin. He spent his childhood in Rockville Centre, New York. He attended college at Case Western University for a year before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1973 with a B.A. in History and Music. He received a Master's Degree in Medieval Studies at Yale University in 1975 and later took courses in religious studies at the University of St. Thomas.
Raised Jewish, Stan converted to Catholicism during his college years. He devoted his adult life to the service of others, first as a young man in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Philadelphia; then working for the Catholic Church in Circle Pines, Minnesota and Helena, Montana; and finally working at non-profits in the Twin Cities focused on helping marginalized groups. He was a lifelong learner and teacher, both informally and professionally. He passionately applied his intelligence and curiosity to many interests, including music, genealogy, astronomy, numismatics, bridge, travel, and photography. After he retired in 2013, he dedicated his time to these interests, authoring at least nine genealogy books, traveling abroad, and producing more than one hundred photography books (often as thoughtful gifts to others). He valued spending time with his many friends, including his longtime friends in the Happy Readers and Sunshine Club and a growing circle of bridge friends, all of whom cherished both his thoughtfulness and his irreverent sense of humor.
Stan was a devoted husband to Sharon Klaers Birnbaum; a caring father to Ben Birnbaum (and his wife Jenny Klein) and Sarah Birnbaum (and her wife Teresa Shaw); and proud grandfather to Jay Birnbaum (age 8) and Leo Birnbaum (age 5). Stan is also survived by his sisters Arlene Birnbaum, Debra Waterstone, and Lori Birnbaum.
A memorial service will be held on June 21, 2025 at the Minnesota Cremation Society in St. Paul (1979 Old Hudson Rd, St Paul, MN 55119). The reception will be from 1:00pm to 4:00pm with a short service at 2:30pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials to a non-profit of your choice are preferred.