George Paul Baumgarten

George Paul Baumgarten, called “Paul”, passed away at home on Monday, January 5th, 2026, at the age of 89. He was born to George W. and Helen Baumgarten on December 1, 1936, in Forest Hills (Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania. He was known for his patience, kindness, generosity, and faithfulness to following Jesus through his service to others.

He was preceded in death by his dear wife, Arlyn Louise Shenefelt Baumgarten. She passed away at home nearly fifteen years ago, on March 20th, 2011. Arlyn was born to Donald and Hazel Shenefelt on September 15, 1937, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania.

Paul and Arlyn met at Wilkinsburg High School in Forest Hills, Pennsylvania, but Arlyn’s family moved to Maryland during their high school years. Both graduated in 1955, Paul from Wilkinsburg, and Arlyn from Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, Maryland.

Paul went on to study at the University of Maryland, and he and Arlyn were married on December 13, 1957. They lived in Hyattsville until Paul completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1960. Paul began a career with the National Bureau of Standards, later renamed the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The couple moved to Takoma Park in 1961, where both of their sons, Gary and Bruce, would be born.

In 1969, Paul and Arlyn moved their family to Gaithersburg - one of the original five families in the West Riding neighborhood. There, they joined Grace United Methodist Church, where both would be active in prayer and numerous ministries until their deaths. Both had a special love for singing and were members of the choir at Grace together for many years. As parents, they were involved in many activities throughout their sons’ years of education. When their sons were grown, Arlyn volunteered with the Meals on Wheels program and worked several years at the gift shop on the Gaithersburg campus of NIST, prior to Paul’s retirement.

Paul and Arlyn loved to spend time with friends and family. Many happy memories were made at Arlyn’s parents’ summer cottage on the Chesapeake Bay. They also loved to laugh, Paul in his quiet way, Arlyn in her less quiet way; their laughs will long be lovingly remembered. Inspiration for their laughter could be anything from amusing photos of animals with caption-worthy expressions, to the antics of their many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As grandparents beginning in 1984, they could always be counted on to attend the many birthday parties, sporting events, and arts performances that they were invited to.

Arlyn was predeceased by her parents, Donald and Hazel Shenefelt. When she passed away in 2011 at the age of 73, she left behind her dear husband, two sons and two daughters-in-law, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandson; as well as her sister, brother-in-law, a nephew, and a niece.

During Arlyn’s final illness, Paul was an inspiration to all through his patient and attentive care of his wife; providing a beautiful example to his children and grandchildren of what it looks like to care faithfully for one’s spouse in sickness and in health.

After her death, Paul kept busy in many ways. He remained active at Grace with the United Methodist Men’s group, volunteered in the church office, and started also volunteering with Meals on Wheels. He also became a member of the National Christian Choir, which he greatly enjoyed for close to fifteen years. Singing to Jesus was a sustaining joy for him after the loss of his beloved wife, and then later after the unexpected loss of his elder son, Gary Paul Baumgarten, in October of 2023.

Paul is additionally predeceased by his parents, George W. and Helen Baumgarten. Paul and Arlyn are survived and greatly missed by their son Bruce Baumgarten and daughter-in-law Catherine; daughter-in-law Angela Baumgarten; Paul’s sister Nancy Richard; Arlyn’s sister Lois Davis; ten grandchildren: Gary Baumgarten, Jr. (Annelise), Sarah Hammond (Daniel), Lynne Baumgarten, Rachel Edler (Nicholas), Kory Wells (Sara), Emily Hughes (Cormac), Nora Peralta (Christopher), Margaret Gent (Matthew), John Baumgarten (Grace), and Luke Baumgarten; fifteen great-grandchildren (with more on the way!); two nephews; and one niece.

A memorial service will be held January 31st at 11:30 am, at Grace United Methodist Church in Gaithersburg, MD. In lieu of flowers, please pay-it-forward by following Paul’s lifelong character of kindness towards others.