BAUMGART
Ernest Hohlt Baumgart Jr., known to many as “Bub,” was born Aug. 7, 1929 in Brenham, to loving parents Fay (Magill) and Ernest Baumgart, Sr.
After graduating from Columbus High School, Bub attended Texas A&M University on a football scholarship and was a member of the Corp of Cadets.
After Aggie graduation in 1951, Bub was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Roswell, New Mexico as a member of the air police. During the Korean Conflict his unit was assigned to a base outside of Paris, France.
From there he took duty at Camp Kilmer in New Jersey and was discharged into the Air Force Reserves in 1953. He remained in the Air Force Reserves and retired in 1973 at the rank of Major.
In 1954, Bub met Elrose Schroeder through a blind date set up by Dr. Tot Youens. The couple married in 1955 and quickly turned their family of two into six.
Bub is survived by his wife Elrose of 64 years; children, Susan Baumgart (Dusty Dittmar) of Columbus, Sandra Ottmers (Bryan) of Boerne, Ernest H. “Trey” Baumgart III of Columbus, and Henry Todd Baumgart of Dallas; granddaughters, Jillian Glithero Jurica (Chris) and Caroline Glithero Bundy (Nathan); three great granddaughters, Margaret & Frances Jurica, and June Bundy.
Bub served as VP of the New Ulm Bank until he and his father began the Ernest H. Baumgart & Son Insurance Agency.
He was able to bring two of his children into the business and changed the name to Baumgart Agency, LLC but he continued to work in the office and “check on things” until he turned 90.
Bub’s favorite hobby was supporting the Cardinal athletic teams. He was a well-known fan to the athletes and coaches for 75 years of his life. He was a founding partner of the establishment of the Athletic Hall of Fame and the Columbus Cardinal Lettermen Club.
Bub believed in supporting the community and served on the Columbus Hospital Board, the Columbus School Board, the Lions Club and the American Legion.
He also enjoyed coaching the Little League & Babe Ruth Baseball teams.
Bub would travel with his good friend “Hop” Priest refereeing basketball games throughout South Texas. The Boy Scout program was very important to him.
He completed the program by be coming an Eagle Scout, attended ceremonies, and served to promote Columbus scouts working on their Eagle projects.
Bub had a love for quail hunting and was an avid bird hunter. He also enjoyed cooking up a bacon wrapped quail for supper club and family Thanksgivings.
Bub doted on his four children’s and granddaughter’s activities by attending every event and coaching from the sidelines.
He could catch a dance performance, basketball playoff game, swim tournament, and still take his beloved wife out for dinner every Saturday evening.
Bub leaves behind a community who will miss him fiercely and a family that will try to carry on with all the empathy that he held for his customers, staff, and his friends.
Special thanks to his “lunch table” friends at Beckey’s Cafe and his traveling football bus group.
A Celebration of Life service was Monday, Mar. 9 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbus, with Pastor Alan Kethan officiating. Visitation was Sunday, Mar. 8 at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus, and at church on Monday prior to the Celebration of Life service.
Honorary pallbearers were the loving, dedicated staff of Baumgart Agency, Columbus Lions Club members, and Columbus Cardinal fans.
Memorials may be given to Columbus Lions Club, P.O. Box 532, Columbus, TX. 78934 or St. Paul Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 267, Columbus, TX. 78934.
Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com.