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BAUMGARTEL, HOWARD JOHN III John took his last breath at the end of a beautiful September day filled by the love of his family and friends. John was born on February 1, 1948. His brief and courageous battle with cancer is over. John was a man of grace, a man of honor, and, as his friend and colleague so aptly stated "John was, quite simply, the finest man I ever knew." John was many things, but most of all he was a contribution. John obtained his Master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan. You could always hear John say 'Go Blue' as he walked through any airport and saw a fellow Wolverine. He worked for Union Carbide in Buffalo, NY before moving to Santa Fe, starting M&E Engineering with his partner, Tom Cummins. John did the mechanical and electrical design on countless buildings throughout New Mexico and southern Colorado-- including New Mexico's original State Library, Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe Opera, and St. John's College. John did environmental work in the 1970's-- making a difference to keep buildings healthy for the people living and working in them. John was committed to protecting the earth, resources and natural beauty. He took a passionate stand for non-violent conflict resolution all of his life. John's love of life was evident in everything he did. His most special moments were sailing, and spending time with his family and lifelong friends on his beloved Higgins Lake, Michigan, or fly-fishing on the Tarryall River, Colorado. John loved music. He could be found mowing a field with headphones in his ears, or sitting at his desk listening to Eric Clapton, John Lee Hooker, Bonnie Raitt, Art Farmer, or the Rolling Stones. He saw the Beatles, live, in 1965. When the music started, John was ready to dance. John shared all that he loved unselfishly with those he held dear--his children, his professional colleagues, his friends--and especially his grandchildren whom he always had time for. John will be deeply missed by his loving wife Carol; sister Mona and her husband John DeBeer; his brother Tom and his wife Joyce Whelchel; daughter Elaine Baumgartel; son Jeremiah Baumgartel and his wife Sara; Carol's son Croft and his wife Stephanie Elsaesser, Carol's son Niko Alley; and Carol's son Shaylor Alley and his partner Kate. John is also survived by his grandchildren Madeleine, Walker, Cruz, and Soren Alley; Caven, Caden, and Tate Elsaesser; and Clara Baumgartel. In addition, he is survived by his niece Sylvie Baumgartel, and his nephew Duke Baumgartel; his many dear friends and colleagues including Jerry Watts, Ann Quarles, Michel Fidel, Tom and Deb Cummins, and Michael Huvane. His special hiking partners, Belle and Murphy, are lost without him. A special thanks goes to his team of doctors at the UNM Cancer Center and UNM Hospital where his care was extraordinary. Donations in John's name can be made to Sierra Club or Higgins Lake Foundation. A memorial for John will be held Saturday, October 25th, in the Great Hall of St. John's College, Santa Fe, at 3:30pm.
        Published on: Fri October 03, 2014