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Glenn Baum, 94

Glenn was born March 18, 1924, to Peter and Mollie Baum, in Dinuba, Calif. He left this world on May 21, 2018, at the age of 94, with his wife, Edna, and daughter, Patti at his side.

Glenn grew up in the Fresno area of California. After graduating from Edison High School in Fresno, he moved to Richmond, Calif., with his family. World War II began, so Glenn enlisted in the Navy. He went through Naval training in Farragut, Idaho, and was deployed to the Pacific as a radar man on the destroyer USS Sullivan.

While in the Pacific, Edna and her two sisters purchased the house next to Glenn’s parents in Richmond. Glenn’s mother asked Edna if she would please write to Glenn while he was away at war. So began their love affair of over 72 years. After the war ended, Glenn and Edna were married on June 11, 1946. They set up their first home in Richmond where Glenn went to work at the Standard Oil Refinery. In 1955, they moved their new family to Concord, Calif. One of their neighbors suggested he apply for a job at the Laurence Laboratory in Berkeley. He did, and was hired that same day. He worked as a vacuum expert with sophisticated machinery, including the first atom smashing machines, the Cyclotron and Bevatron.

Glenn retired at age 60. He and Edna moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to be close to their little granddaughters, but he continued working into his 80s in his specialized field with a company in Coeur d’Alene.

He and Edna first purchased a home in Coeur d’Alene, and then built a home in Hayden, Idaho, about 30 years ago. Glenn kept a manicured yard and enjoyed golf, boating, playing cards and joking with friends. He and Edna traveled extensively, and were on the go every day, enjoying many restaurants in town, especially breakfast at The Breakfast Nook! Glenn was an avid NASCAR fan, being taught to drive by his uncle, Billy Vukovich, who had won the Indy 500 three times. Glenn and Edna enjoyed their independence, living in their Hayden home until recently.

Survived by his wife, Edna, he leaves his older brother, Orval Baum of Fresno; son, Mike Baum of Coeur d’Alene; daughter, Patti Goodman of La Quinta, Calif., and Coeur d’Alene; granddaughters, Pauline (Stephen) Currie of Coeur d’Alene and Stephanie (Justin) White of Fayetteville, Tenn.; grandson, Joshua (Jessica) Goodman of Long Beach, Calif.; great-granddaughters, Alexis Allen-White, Kyla Currie, Kaylin Goodman; and great-grandsons, AJ Currie and Parker Goodman. Glenn was predeceased by his son-in-law, CHP Officer Jim Goodman and daughter-in-law, Lisa Baum.

Glenn did not want a funeral. He wanted to be remembered as he was, living a happy life. His family will plan a celebration of life later in July, 2018. If you would like to attend, please contact Glenn’s daughter, Patti at 760-774-8494.

This sweet, wonderful, unassuming, kind man was a loving husband, brother, brother-in-law, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Glenn with be deeply missed.