Richard B. Baldauf

Richard Birge Baldauf, Sr. passed away Friday, September 14, 2012. He was born on November 9th 1915, at home, in Torrington, Connecticut, an only child of William and Elsie Birge Baldauf. He graduated from Torrington High School, Peddie Preparatory School, Dartmouth College class of 1939 with a BA in English, Trinity College in Hartford Connecticut with a MA in English. He was married to Isabel (Sue) Warley Baldauf for 70 years. They had three children: Richard Jr., wife Christina of Buderim, Australia; Nancy, husband Richard Cook of Salem, VA; Gail, husband, Tim Borkowski of York, ME. Six grandchildren: R. Ethan Cook, wife Stephanie, Ryan B. Cook of Roanoke, Emily C. Cook of Providence, RI, Pamela S. Baldauf of Paddington, Australia, Heather W. Borkowski of York, ME and Jesse A. Borkowski of Carrboro, NC. Two great grandchildren: Cate M. Cook and R. Clay Cook. He served in World War II from 1942 45 on the Battleship U.S.S. Massachusetts in the Pacific Theatre, was honorably discharged with 7 battle stars, with rank of Lieutenant 1st class. He worked in the home office of the Hartford Insurance Group for over 30 years; he taught English several nights a week at local colleges. He wrote poetry prior to and during WW II, and published an English Grammar text in 1973. Upon retiring in 1978, most of his writing consisted of volumes of genealogy information. During retirement, he lived in Florida for 8 months of the year and on Cape Cod for 4 months. He carved duck decoys and shore birds, worked outdoors, traveled to visit family, attended many Elder Hostels and took several memorable cruises. He belonged to Hiram Lodge 98 in Bloomfield Connecticut, Dartmouth Club of Sarasota, Florida and Cape Cod, and the Connecticut Genealogical Society. He attended the Englewood Florida Methodist Church and the Waquoit Congregational Church of Cape Cod. In 2007, he moved to Brandon Oaks Retirement Home with Sue to be near his Virginia Family. The interment and celebration of his life will be held at the Cape Cod National Cemetery at the convenience of the family. The Baldauf family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home & Crematory in Salem, VA, 540-389-5441. An online guest book is available for family and friends by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.