Wayne Albert Baumgartner

Wayne Albert Baumgartner Passed away on April 29, 2014 in Westminster, CA, age 93. He was born on October 11, 1920 in Puyallup, WA to Albert Baumgartner and Helen Wiese Baumgartner in the family home built by his grandfather in 1908. He attended Spinning Elementary School and enjoyed growing up with his neighborhood friends. He was a proud member of the Puyallup High School Class of 1938, and attended many Alumni Assemblies in later years. He joined the U.S. Navy during WWII and attended the University of Washington as part of his pilot training. He retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander, having served as an aircraft carrier pilot flying reconnaissance missions during the Korean War. After Wayne's service in the Navy, he went to work as a pilot for the Federal Aviation Administration being stationed in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Frankfurt, Germany. He was very proud of both his American and Swiss-German heritage, and loved anything to do with yodeling, singing, lederhosen, beer, and bratwurst. He was very active in life, enjoying traveling around the world, skiing, golfing, and tennis into his 80's. Wayne is survived by his life partner of 35 years, Janice Edwards, her daughters Laurie Edwards and Karen Edwards, sister Juanita Baumgartner, children Jana Smith, David Baumgartner (Catherine), Gigi Tischbern (Ed), Kristina Zimmerman (Erich), four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and five granddogs. He was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, family member and friend. Viewing will be on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 from 4:00 to 8:00p.m. at Powers. Funeral services will be held at Powers Funeral Home in Puyallup on Friday, May 16th at 11:00 a.m. Light Reception immediately following at Powers Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Braille Institute.