Charles Baum ’64

The following is an expanded version of a memorial from the Oct. 5, 2016, issue.

Charles died Oct. 24, 2015.

He came to Princeton from Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Ala. He was a member of Cottage Club, majored in history and international studies at the Woodrow Wilson School, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude. During his senior year, he roomed with Andrews, Churchill, Fuller, Hermanson, Hess, Richardson, Ringo, and Wright.

The characteristics that marked his life were wit and wisdom, love of life, generosity, intelligence, and enthusiasm for learning. They were all in full force during Charles’ Princeton years. Though all his academic accomplishments were major, his interactions with classmates and everyone with whom he came in contact with are what we remember and value most. He always had a ready smile, a quick repartee, and a caring attitude.

After graduation, he attended Harvard Business School and graduated with distinction. Charles later graduated from the University of Maryland Law School, rounding out his distinguished academic career. He served in the Air Force Reserve during Vietnam.

Charles had a diverse and successful business career, initially with Loeb Rhoades in New York, and then a 40-plus year career full of civic and business accomplishments in his adopted city of Baltimore.

He was an active sportsman — a tenacious tennis, golf, and basketball player; and a rabid spectator of the Baltimore Orioles and his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide. Not surprisingly, his love of family transcended all else. At his memorial service Nov. 8, 2015, his brother and sister; children and stepchildren; and his amazing wife, Patti; spoke lovingly of Charles. Their theme, “Live Like Charles, Love Like Charles, Laugh Like Charles,” says it all. Our class has lost a wonderful friend and an accomplished individual. We send our deepest sympathy to Patti and to the rest of his family.