Obituary of John G. Baumberger

ENDWELL - John G. Baumberger, 91, died on November 11, 2018 at Good Shepherd Health Care Center in Endwell, NY. John was born in Toledo, OH to Harry and Elizabeth Baumberger in the year Lindbergh flew solo over the Atlantic. He grew up on a small dairy farm during the Great Depression and moved to Toledo with his family when he was 14 where they operated a large-scale gardening business. While attending the city vocational high school, specializing in machine shop, John worked co-op 57 hours a week in a small tool and die shop during WW II. After serving with the US Army in Korea during the WW II Emergency Period, John returned to Toledo where he joined the DeVilbiss Company and learned the trade of manufacturing engineer. Using the GI Bill, John attended night school at the University of Toledo for three years, then full time, serving as president of his honorary fraternity Tau Beta Pi, graduating in 1955 with Bachelor of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Physics. After graduation, John joined the IBM Corporation in Endicott, NY to begin a 37-year career developing various machines and processes primarily for banking and printing applications. While there, he earned a Master of Science degree from Syracuse University, held numerous patents, became a registered Professional Engineer in the states of Ohio and New York, and a Lifetime Member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. John also served the Town of Maine, NY for 37 years between1969-2006 as a member of the Planning Board, Town Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals. In his later years, John and his wife Audrey traveled extensively throughout the US and abroad. They lived in the same house on East Maine Rd. in Johnson City for 57 years while John played the role of country squire, reconstructing their house and barn, tinkering with his old Ford tractors, and processing and selling firewood. John and Audrey moved to Good Shepherd Village in Endwell, NY in 2015. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his sister Marjorie Bond of Scottsdale, AZ, and a grandson Daniel Joseph Gomba. He is survived by his loving wife Audrey of 61 years, and their three children, spouses, and grandchildren: Karen and George Gomba, parents of Ryan and Claire, Kurt and Sharon Baumberger, parents of Katherine and Griffin, and Kathryn and Michael Mahoney, parents of Tyler and Andrew. He is also survived by a number of cousins, nieces, and nephews. John's family thanks the nurses, aides, and staff at Good Shepherd Health Care Center for their friendship and kindness while he was in their care. Visiting hours will be Monday, November 19 from 2-4 pm with a service immediately following from 4-5 pm at Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, 300 E. Main St., Endicott, NY 13760. Donations in John's memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association.