Robert J. Baumert Sr.

1935 - 2021

Robert J. Baumert Sr. USMC Reservist, NYPD deputy chief & executive officer, 86 Robert J. Baumert Sr., 86, passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 29, 2021. Born in Ridgewood, NY in 1935, Robert graduated from Bishop Loughlin High School in Brooklyn before joining the Marine Corps in 1952 at the age of 17. He served two years of active duty on the USS Wright aircraft carrier during the Korean War, and was a reservist in the Marine Corps for the following 22 years until his retirement in 1976. Robert followed in his father's and grandfather's footsteps and was sworn into the NYPD on October 24, 1956 as a third-generation officer. His career spanned 41 years. During this time, Robert earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Baruch College and John Jay College, respectively. He also served as the Commanding Officer of the 61st, 78th, and 6th precincts, as well as the Commanding Officer of the Emergency Services Unit, and during his tenure the Emergency Services Unit was awarded a Unit Citation. After his promotion to Deputy Chief, he was assigned as the Executive Officer of the Organized Crime Control Bureau until he retired in 1998. Affectionately known as the "Boomer," Robert was a deeply respected officer and renowned within the department and the wider community for his work ethic, integrity, and fairness. He was particularly celebrated for his ability to create dialogue and forge relationships with minority and vulnerable populations in New York City. While he was the recipient of numerous recognitions for these efforts, among his most memorable was a 1980s commendation from the LGBTQ+ community in Greenwich Village for assisting during the AIDs crisis and helping heal its relationship with the NYPD. Robert lived much of his life in Marine Park, Brooklyn before moving to Staten Island in 2011 to live with his daughters. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, learning about history-particularly U.S. and military history-watching the Yankees, and listening to opera, especially Pavarotti. He was extremely active in the Marine Corps veteran community, and was a long-time member of the Breezy Point Beach Club in Rockaway, NY. His greatest pride and joy was taking care of his family, especially his grandchildren, and he was always quick to offer a story, food, presents, pocket money or family trips to Disney World. Robert is predeceased by his mother Elizabeth, his father Henry V. "Jim" Baumert, his sister Elizabeth "Betty Jane" Law, and his best friend and wife Sheila Mary (nee Keely). He is survived by his brother William; his children Marie and Stephen Visco, Robert Jr. and Ellen, Christine and Michael Mohin, Jacqueline and Jayson Jacknow, and James and Linda; his grandchildren Timothy (Ashley), Matthew (Megan), Kaitlin (Alex), Thomas (Lauren), Keely (Patrick), Glenna (Matthew), Caitlyn (Matthew), Melanie, Victoria, Madison, Daniel, Jonathan and Elizabeth; and his great-grandchild Bennett. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at Blessed Sacrament Church, Forest Ave., Staten Island, NY. Internment will be at St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends will be received on Thursday, July 1 from 7-9 p.m. and Friday, July 2 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Matthew Funeral Home, 2508 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10314 (718) 761-5544. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Calvary Fund Inc. of Calvary Hospital in Robert's name. Matthew Funeral Home 2508 Victory Boulevard Staten Island, NY 10314 (718) 761-5544.