Erwin R Baran

Former Chicago resident Erwin Robert Baran, 86, died August 29, 2011, at his residence in Boulder, Colorado, with his devoted wife, Fe, at his side.

Erwin was born January 1, 1925, in Czernowitz, Romania, to Elias Anton and Maria Louise Baran. An avid storyteller, Erwin spoke fondly of his childhood spent playing outdoors with his 3 sisters in the Old Country, in the family gardens and orchards with his loyal boxer dog, Nero, at his side. Like his father, he developed a keen ear and learned to speak five different languages. He was also fascinated with history and geography, and collected stamps as a young boy.

Erwin’s family relocated to Germany around 1940 to escape the Communist invasion of their homeland, eventually settling in the Bavarian town of Bayreuth. He joined the German Navy during WW II, serving from 1943 to 1945 on a minesweeper and a submarine. Erwin often referred to the movie “Das Boot” as an authentic, accurate comparison to his wartime experiences. He was taken prisoner by the Russians until 1947, when he was released to the American Army in Berlin.

Erwin re-joined his family in Bayreuth, working at an American Army base until 1957, when he immigrated by boat to the United States, eventually landing in Chicago, Illinois. He worked as a chef at Edgewater Hospital, where he met his beloved wife, Fe. He also worked at Fairview Hospital and Resurrection Hospital in the Chicagoland area, and for the Skokie Valley School District until his retirement in 1987.

An avid gardener, Erwin enjoyed creating and planting beautiful flower beds in his front and back yards. His efforts were recognized by anonymous neighborhood nominations, then rewarded with several prize-winning ribbons from Mayor Daley’s annual precinct competitions. He kept his green thumb active during Chicago’s long winters by surrounding himself with an indoor jungle of houseplants. He also loved having animals in his world, including dogs Bosco and Lance, and a long-running succession of singing canaries, all name Hansi.

After residing in the same home for nearly 30 years, Erwin and Fe decided to leave Chicago in 1995 to live closer to their grown children in Boulder, Colorado. He delighted in the company of his family -- most especially his grandchildren -- and savored Boulder’s many sunny days and glorious, long gardening season. Always the nature lover, he enjoyed feeding the bird and squirrels in his neighborhood and was constantly amazed when spotting deer in his yard or a fox roaming down the street. In retirement, he continued to challenge himself by dabbling in Japanese lessons and learning the art of growing and manicuring Bonsai trees.

Erwin is survived by his wife of 51 years, Fe; daughter Carmen (Thomas Klinker), son Joe (Mignon Macias), & daughter Fe (Mark Briggs); grandchildren Lucy & Brewer Briggs and Reid & Tanner Baran; sister Adelheid (Baran) Geissler (Bayreuth, Germany) and nephew Roland Kaboth (Bayreuth, Germany).

Visitation will be held at 9 am on Wednesday, August 31, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 1318 Mapleton Ave., Boulder, CO 80304, with recitation of the Rosary at 9:30 am and a Funeral Mass at 10 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to either Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 1318 Mapleton Ave , Boulder, CO 80304, Telephone: 303-442-6158, or the Alzheimer’s Association, 455 Sherman St., Suite 500, Denver, CO 80203, Telephone: 303.813.1669.