Henry Baumstark
1941 - 2025
Heinrich "Henry" Baumstark was born in Aschaffenburg, Germany on December 13, 1941 to Jakob and Veronika Baumstark and passed away unexpectedly in Guelph, Ontario on August 15, 2025.
Before Henry was born, the Baumstark family were actually farmers in Malcoci, Romania, where several generations of Germans had lived and farmed. During World War II, Hitler invaded Romania and forced all the German-Romanian families to move to Germany. It was in a “transition” camp in Aschaffenburg that Henry was born in 1941. After the war, the Baumstark family immigrated to Canada. Along with their parents, Henry (aged eleven) and his older siblings, Tony and Dorothy, were placed on farms near Picture Butte in “beet shacks” to hoe the sugar beets in the spring and harvest in the fall. The family traveled to British Columbia in the winter to work in the “hop yards”, but returned in the spring to Alberta. After a couple of seasons of this, they, along with other families, moved to Taber to settle permanently.
After Grade nine, Henry quit school and went to work for Water Resources as a surveyor. Two years later, (after meeting the love of his life, Pat) he went back to school and entered the field of Education. He finished high school at the age of twenty, went to University and then began earning his teaching degrees while teaching elementary school. He received his Bachelor of Education from the University of Lethbridge, his Professional Diploma of Education from the University of Lethbridge, then his Masters of Education in Portland, Oregon. He and Pat were married in Taber on June 5, 1965. After his first year of teaching in Vauxhall, he enjoyed a full career of teaching at the R.C.N. schools in Taber. Henry and Pat raised two children, David and Monica, in Taber.
At the age of thirty eight, Henry had his first heart attack and had a single heart by-pass. At the age of fifty four, a second triple by-pass encouraged him to an early retirement.
Henry had a beautiful voice, played guitar and led many Christmas concerts at school. He loved to play sports (and cards) and coached basketball and hockey for many years. He loved playing basketball, hockey, canoeing, fishing and golfing. During a fundraiser basketball game in Taber against the Calgary Stampeders, he scored over twenty points! The highlight of his very non-professional sports career. The Calgary Flames and Calgary Stampeders had an avid fan!
His love of sports, watching Canadian football and hockey were ongoing. He “taped” every game, even while away, so he didn’t miss a game. This allowed him freedom to take Pat dancing whenever she wanted and they both loved that special time. He always said she fell in love with him because he was such a good dancer. That was indeed one of his endearing qualities. Henry kept in touch with his wonderful family in Germany that he and Pat visited many times during married life… beginning with a two and a half month honeymoon to Germany to visit family that he hadn’t seen since he left at the age of eleven!
That was just the beginning of travels for the Baumstark family. Many trips to Germany (his favourite) and Europe, driving trips across Canada, the USA., from British Columbia to the Maritimes, to Hawaii, cruises to Alaska, Panama Canal, Caribbean and Europe.
After retirement, Henry and Pat joined the “snowbird flock” and travelled to Yuma, Arizona to escape the Canadian winters. In 2010, they bought a home in Florence, Arizona, where they shared many happy times with Henry’s long time buddies, John and Senne and the new friends and neighbors from Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Arizona.
In 2015, it was time to move closer to family, so the Baumstarks made the “big move” to Guelph, Ontario to be closer to Monica and her family. They purchased a home at the Village by the Arboretum and quickly adapted to Ontario and “retirement” living. Henry joined golf and the canoe club, (until his shoulder stopped him from those two passions) and loved going for daily walks. His passion for playing cards and poker remained with him and that was when he was happiest, sharing time with friends and having a beer.
In 2025, Henry and Pat celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary. The highlight of their year was a trip with their extended family to Cancun, Mexico for their anniversary. A devoted, caring husband and father and wonderful Opa to his grandchildren and great grandchildren; his family was the joy of his life!
Henry is survived by his beloved wife Pat, his children David (Beth) Baumstark of Missoula, Montana and Monica (Joe) Massey of Guelph, Ontario. He had five granddaughters, Mary Callahan Baumstark (Jack Wicks), Molly (Chris) Neu, Emma (Dylan) Farnes, Gretta Baumstark, Chloe Massey; one grandson Karson Massey and two great grandsons, Connor and Max (Molly and Chris’ children). He is also survived by his sister Dorothy Gregus of Taber, brother-in law Ron (Linda) Rakos of High River, sisters-in-law Deb Rakos and Wilma Baumstark of Lethbridge, and their families.
Henry was predeceased by his brother Tony Baumstark and brothers-in-law Rudy Gregus and Bob Turner.
A celebration of Henry’s life will be held at the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization, 500 - 11 Street South, Lethbridge on Saturday, September 13, 2025. 2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.