Donavin A. Baumgartner Jr.

Donavin A. Baumgartner, Jr.

Naples, FL

Donavin A. Baumgartner, Jr., 87, loving husband, father, and grandaddy, respected physician, wine connoisseur, and advocate of conservative causes, died April 3, 2017 at Moorings Park.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Baumgartner is survived by his wife, Marilyn "Mickey" of 65 years; three children, Donavin (Chip) Baumgartner III, (wife, Diane) Peter (wife, Erin), and Karen Baumgartner Lambert (husband, Dale); eight grandchildren; Donavin IV, Erika, Peter, Daniel, Catherine and Rebecca and five great grandchildren; Donavin V, Ella, Leon, Anjela, and Owen.

Following in the steps of his grandfather and father, Baumgartner decided to pursue a career as a physician. After earning an undergraduate degree from Princeton University, Baumgartner entered Harvard University Medical School where he graduated with honors. He was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa Society.

Baumgartner's medical career spanned four decades with most of his professional life being spent at Cleveland's St. Luke's Hospital, where he was double-boarded in surgery and emergency medicine. He acted as the hospital's Director of Emergency Services from 1982 to 1993 and, for most of those years, also as Director of Trauma Services. Baumgartner also served as President of the Academy of Medicine of Cleveland, and the Ohio State Medical Association.

During his academic and medical career, Baumgartner was a sports enthusiast, playing football at Princeton. He also appeared in many of the university's theatrical shows, including the Princeton Triangle Show which was performed on the Ed Sullivan television show in 1952.

He later became a successful amateur racing car driver. At one time in the mid-1970s he held racing lap records at Watkins Glen, Mid-Ohio and Nelsons Ledges road courses.

A lover of fine wine, particularly Bordeaux, Baumgartner was responsible for establishing the first Commanderie de Bordeaux chapter in Naples in the late 1990s. He served as its head, or "Maitre" for over 10 years and was responsible for growing the chapter from a handful of Bordeaux enthusiasts to over 35 members today.

He made many trips to Bordeaux, visiting the finest Chateaus such as Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Margaux and La Tour. Baumgartner's private cellar spanned over 2,500 bottles of wine from regions that included not only Bordeaux, but also Burgundy and Champagne.

Despite his many accomplishments in the medical field and serving as head of the Commanderie de Bordeaux, Baumgartner probably is best known to Naples residents because of the many "Letters to the Editor" he wrote to the Naples Daily News supporting the conservative political point of view. Baumgartner Letter writing "campaigns" began when he was a doctor in Cleveland. His letters to the editor appeared often in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Baumgartner also loved to travel, was a member of the St. Andrew's Society which promotes Scottish heritage, was a pilot, horseman, loved animals and will always be affectionately known to many as Father Christmas.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday April 8th at 2:30 p.m. at the Bower Memorial Chapel in Moorings Park.

There will be a reception in the Clubhouse Library immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to your favorite United States Military charity. For online condolences, please visit fullernaples.com.