Allen Baumgartner

Allen Edward Baumgartner passed Wednesday, June 27, 2018 in Topeka, Kansas. Allen was born June 20, 1926 in Washington, D.C. His father, Otto Baumgartner, owned a bakery which he lost in the depression and the family moved to Kansas to live with his Mom Hazel's family in Bennington. He graduated from KCK Wyandotte High School in 1944, joined the Navy, trained as an electrician and headed to the Pacific Theater. After the war he enrolled at Baker University in Baldwin, Kansas where he met Kathryn Nichols from Pueblo, Colorado. They were married in 1951. Allen attended seminary at SMU in Dallas, moved back to Kansas, was ordained a Methodist Minister and served many churches in the Kansas East Conference of the Methodist Church over his career. Allen also earned a Masters in Occupational Therapy from the University of Kansas and spent time at KU Medical center in Kansas City.

Allen had many interests including family camping, pottery, woodworking, weaving, Corvairs. He had acquired his wife Kathy's love for bird watching. He was an avid KU fan. He was inquisitive about how things worked. He loved great conversation about all things trivial to important and would engage in great debate. He was full of gratitude; appreciative of all the sweet moments of his life.

Allen's wife, Kathy, died in 2001, and his sister, Evelyn, in 2014. He leaves two sons, Bill and wife Marcy Baumgartner, David and wife Karen Baumgartner along with five grandchildren Sarah and husband Ben York, Scott Baumgartner, Anna and husband Bill Kizer, Laura and husband Jess Core, and Matthew Baumgartner. He was blessed to have five great grandchildren, Josiah and Grace York, Henry and Tommy Kizer, and Claire Core.

Visitation on Thursday, July 5th from 6-8 PM at Penwell-Gabel Midtown Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave, Topeka KS 66604.

Funeral Services will be Friday July 6th at 10:30 am at Susanna Wesley Methodist Church, 7433 SW 29th St, Topeka, KS 66614.

Burial will be approximately 2:00 pm Memorial Park Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a contribution to the Topeka Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 3625 SW 29th St #102, Topeka, KS 66614.

Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel is assisting the family. To leave a special message for the family please visit the guestbook below.