Ernest G. "Dirty Ernie" Baumann
Ernest G. Baumann, Major USAF
(Retired) (a.k.a. Dirty Ernie) died January 29, 2008. His ambition was to live
to be 100, but he did not make it. In Ernies' own words, "I was born in Buffalo,
New York on November 3, 1920, to Ernest D. Baumann and Susan K. Baumann. For The
good of mankind, I was an only child. I graduated from the U.S. Army Air Corps
flight school as a Second Lt. in March 1944. Flew 35 missions over Europe in
WWII as an aircraft commander of a B-17 with the 8th Air Force." He retired from
the Air Force in 1964 as a commander pilot with over 6000 hours in the air. He
was proud of the fact that he started flying in Piper Cubs and progressed to
flying jet bombers. After retirement, he was very active in the local theatrical
community. In 2003 he received the prestigious Living Legend Of Theater award
from Theater Arts Coalition Of San Antonio. He performed at all of the major
area theaters. His roles extended from Old McDonald in children's theatre, the
Pope in "The Day They Kidnapped The Pope", to starring as the Lone Ranger in
dozens of Old Time Radio Productions. He performed with Death by Design Murder
Mystery Troupe, The Extended Run Players, and was a featured soloist with The
Cadenza Singers for the University of the Incarnate Word. He appeared as the
singing bus driver in the 1980's Via commercials. He co-hosted the "Adopt a Pet"
segment on the KENS TV Morning Show for over 20 years. In his final stage
appearance, he was a featured performer in the University of the Incarnate Word
2007 production: "Memories on Review: Tales of WWII" sharing his wartime
experiences. Following this, he was selected to appear in the KLRN film
production "World War II: In Our Words," which aired locally in August 2007. He
was President of the Board of Speech Arts Association of San Antonio, and past
President of the Auxiliary at Warm Springs Hospital where he did volunteer work
for many years. He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Robert E. Baumann
who died in 1991. He is survived by his loving wife of over 63 years, Lois
(Chips) P. Baumann, his step-mother, Inez Baumann of Buffalo, New York, his
brother-in-law, Robert Schroeder and wife Betty Schroeder of Buffalo, New York,
sons, James R. (Mie) Baumann and John E. Baumann of Austin, Texas,
grandchildren, Heather C. Baumann and Nathan C. (Susan) Baumann of Austin,
Texas, great grandchildren, Christian Robert Baumann, Lux Louise Baumann and
Nicole Baumann of Austin, Texas as well as a multitude of friends.
Friends are invited to join in a joyous celebration of his life at Harlequin Dinner Theater at Fort Sam Houston on Monday, February 4, 2008 from 2 pm till 5 pm.
Sunset Funeral Home.
Published in the Express-News on 2/3/2008.