Erich Baumgartner

Erich Eugene Baumgartner, of Rockville, Maryland on Sunday, April 12, 2020. Preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth “Betsy” Knell Baumgartner, whom he was married to from 1955 until her death in 2001 and survived by his second wife, Nancy Tietjen, whom he married in 2014; father of Erich Baumgartner Jr. (Anna), Carol Hoy (Thomas), Mark Baumgartner (Maribeth), Steven Baumgartner (Anne), Lisa Rauf (Robert), Kathryn Gant (William) and the late Linda Baumgartner who died in 1959; Grandfather of Jessica Marconi (Brian), James Baumgartner, Erica Dudley (Chad), Monica Baumgartner, Joseph Baumgartner, Michael Hoy (Casie), Amanda Johnston (Maxwell), Andrew Hoy, Mathew Hoy, Jonathon Baumgartner, Colin Baumgartner, Phillip Baumgartner, Emily Baumgartner, Maggie Baumgartner, Brian Rauf (Kamie), Megan Rauf, Samuel Rauf, Jack Gant, William Gant, Erin Gant; Great grandfather of William Marconi, Timothy Marconi, Matthew Marconi, Colin Marconi, Brooks Dudley, Madilyn Hoy, Ava Hoy, Zoe Hoy, and Blakely Rauf. Brother of Bob (June) of New Milford, Connecticut, and Marge (Frank) of Bronx, New York.

Born on December 28, 1933 and raised in Bronx, NY by his parents, the late Rose and Eugene Baumgartner. Erich Graduated Regis High School, New York, NY and Villanova University, BS Business Administration, & Navy ROTC. Villanova, PA.

Erich married Betsy Knell the day after his college graduation. He then started his 3 year commitment to the US Navy. He travelled the Mediterranean and Atlantic during his Naval commission, and was stationed out of Newport,RI and Key West, FL. After the Navy Erich worked in the pharmaceutical industry in Philadelphia for 2 years during which Erich and Betsy started their family. Erich then decided on a change to the newly emerging technology industry, taking a position with IBM in Wilmington, DE. After 8 years in Wilmington, Erich earned promotions that led him and his growing family to Titusville, NJ and finally to Rockville, MD

Erich had a diverse and fulfilling career of 32 years with IBM, retiring as a Director of Industry Marketing Programs. In the tragic May 1982 shootings at his IBM Bethesda work location, Erich displayed acts of courage that are credited with saving lives and he was acknowledged as a “hero” for these actions in the press.

While living in Rockville, Erich took special pride and enjoyment from his children’s athletic endeavors. Family sport favorites were football, basketball and swimming. Erich was a keen sideline analyst, always attending the many games and meets.

When Erich graduated to grandfather hood as “PopPop,” he was a fixture at the fields and courts of his grandchildren’s events as well.

In 1993, Betsy had a debilitating brain hemorrhage leaving her with some paralysis on her left side and needing to re-learn speech and walking. Erich immediately retired and re-invented himself to become Betsy’s devoted care giver. Over the next eight years, they enjoyed several trips and life's daily activities. Erich also gave of his time to man volunteer activities at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church where he was an Ecumenical Minister, in the Fallsmead neighborhood HOA, as well as city and county social outreach programs. In July of 2001 Betsy succumbed to her ailments, rendering Erich a widow.

After seven years of maintaining the family home in Rockville, Erich relocated to the Ingleside senior community in Rockville. Erich thrived there, continuing his leadership position in the St Raphael Senior club while also engaging on a number of projects and advisory boards at Ingleside including Chairing the Employee Appreciation Fund for many years.

It was at Ingleside that he met Nancy Tietjen, herself very active in the senior community. Erich and Nancy were married November, 2014. The two shared great love and companionship and were active travelers prior to Erich’s stroke in May of 2018. Nancy has been his rock supporting Erich through the stroke and his cancer diagnosis in 2019.

After a private funeral mass at St. Raphaels Catholic Church in Potomac MD on Monday April 20, 2020, Erich will be interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Rockville MD.

The family will hold a celebration of Erich’s life at a future date still to be determined. In lieu of Flowers please direct donations to:
The Ingleside Employee Appreciation Fund
Ingleside at King Farm
701 King Farm Blvd.
Rockville, MD 20850