Douglas Baumgartner Obituary

Douglas Reid Baumgartner passed away surrounded by his loving family on Monday, January 8th, 2024, in Sylvania, Ohio.

The son of Donna (Garey) Sherer and Don Baumgartner, Doug was born and raised in Oregon, Ohio.  He graduated from Clay High School, where he was on the football team and made many life-long friendships.  After high school, he went on to study electrical engineering at the University of Toledo, and eagerly explored his great love of math.

Doug possessed a brilliant love and respect for his family.  He often shared fond memories of his youth and family adventures. These stories included all the mischief a young Doug and his close friends had once gotten into. Growing up in the early days of space exploration, he developed a lifelong love of learning. His favorite subjects included math, astronomy, history, and travel. Throughout his life, it was common to find him pouring over articles and endless books to satisfy his curiosity. Doug explored many of his interests through travel and even held a pilot’s license for a time.  He was wonderful at hands-on projects, as he could fix just about anything – cars, furnaces, appliances – he’d work on it all.  And if he couldn’t fix it, he’d supervise someone else while they were doing it!

To his family, Douglas is first remembered as a loving husband, father, and family member. He welcomed so many into his life with a sincere smile, clear and eager eyes, and the ability to discuss virtually any topic.  He was known to work hard and keep long hours, playing an inseparable and vital role in the success of his family’s restaurant/property businesses for over 50 years. He felt fortunate to share those years working alongside his sister Angie.

A two-time cancer survivor, Doug demonstrated resolve and perseverance on a daily basis to his children. With all of his achievements, Doug’s greatest joy came from watching his grandchildren grow. He embodied the word ‘formidable,’ meeting challenges with integrity and determination. In his last year of life, he pushed himself physically to participate in all he could with his grandchildren. From soccer games to piano recitals, plays to planetariums, birthdays to simply sitting and doing school work with his grandchildren, Doug proved without a doubt that your greatest contribution to the world is through the love that you share.  

Doug is survived by his loving wife, Gail Baumgartner, who stood by his side as his dedicated caregiver through his illnesses and his companion, as they enjoyed the happy times with their family.  He is also survived by his children: Jeremy (Ingrid) Baumgartner, Derek Baumgartner, Sarah (Mike) Woronec, John (Noelle) Dawley, and Allison Peavey; his grandchildren: Felix and Isla Baumgartner, Owen, Alex, Nora, and Finn Dawley, Tyler Peavey and Rowan Celestino; his siblings: Diane (Steve) Kurtz, Pam Sherer (Howard), Cindy Sherer, Dawn (Tom) Haas, Angela (Jim) Sigurdson, Holly Baumgartner, and Heather (Ian) Toner; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Donna Sherer and Don Baumgartner.

Visitation will be held at the Reeb Funeral Home Friday, January 19th from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 A.M.