Irving Baum

Left Formation September 17, 2015

Irving Baum, 92, died September 17, 2015 in Napa, California. He was born in Monticello, New York to Abraham and Ida Baum.

Irving joined the Army Air Force in 1942 after Pearl Harbor and received bombardier training. He was shot down over France in 1943 and beaten severely upon capture. He wore those scars for rest of his life. He was a POW at Stalag Luft III, the POW camp where the Great Escape took place just before Irv arrived. He was liberated on April 29, 1945, by Gen. George Patton. Irving served in the Air Force until 1972, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel.

Mr. Baum graduated from the University of Southern California with an MA in Aerospace Engineering Operations and from the University of Miami—School of Education with a B.Ed in Elementary Education. He worked as a systems engineer at Sperry Corporation which later became Unisys. Irving volunteered as a tutor at an elementary school and was a member of Congregation Beth Shalom.

Irving was predeceased by his son Greg, brother Leonard and niece Sharon. He is survived by his wife Maria; children Avrum, Benjamin, and Janet; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother Sheldon; nephews Michael, David and Robert; and niece Stephanie.