Longtime Seattle resident Maury Baumgartner died peacefully at home on October 28, 2017 at age 79. Raised in Genesee, Idaho, he married high school sweetheart Vera in 1955 and moved to Seattle’s Queen Anne Hill soon after. They recently celebrated their 62nd anniversary. That kind of consistent longevity was a hallmark of Maury’s, as evidenced by the 45 years he worked as a pressman for the Seattle Times.
Though a man of few words, Maury loved four things deeply. First, his wife Vera. Second, his family- sons Steve and Dan, and daughter Diane. Over the years Maury took immense delight in the grandkids that followed- the “Great Eight” as he liked to call them- and then two great grandchildren, with more currently enroute.
Maury’s third love was sports, a passion he handed onto his children. At some point, Maury coached half the kids of Queen Anne in baseball or basketball, including his own, and kept score of innumerable games at Luther Field, Interbay and Howe Field. Rarely did he watch a pro game on TV without a scorebook in hand. His love for baseball took on a new form when the Mariners arrived in Seattle. Desiring to be closer to the game, Maury signed on to be one of the early ticket-takers at the newly built Kingdome and kept at the hobby for 22 years.
Finally, Maury was a voracious reader and collected enough books in his lifetime to stock a bookstore. His reading interests varied widely and he built impressive collections of Northwest Native American history, presidential biographies and sports. In his last years, he was happiest sitting in an easy chair interacting with grandkids, watching a game and surrounded by literally stacks of books.
Maury was a good man, and will be deeply missed. His legacy carries on in son Steve (Jane) in Kenmore, son Dan (Anne) in Los Angeles and daughter Diane (Aaron) in Kendrick, ID...along with Vera, the Great Eight and the Terrific Two (plus). He also leaves behind his brother Dave and sister Julie, both of Genesee. At Maury’s request, no service will be held. If you want to honor Maury, think of him next time you drive by a ballfield. Or, remembrances in his name would be gratefully received at Mary’s Place, a Seattle shelter and resource for homeless women, children and families. Go to marysplaceseattle.org or send to Mary’s Place Seattle, PO Box 1711, Seattle, WA 98111-1711.
