Jerry Baum

Jerry Nelson Baum, age 88, passed away at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, IN under hospice care on Saturday, October, 29, 2022 due to a recent cancer diagnosis. Jerry was born September 19, 1934 in Evansville, Indiana to Noel Richard Baum and Dorothy Nelson Baum. He grew up as a "westsider" of Evansville. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Noel and Dorothy Baum, and spouse, Donna (Cantwell) Baum, and ex-spouses Rhoda (Verlare) Baum, and Nanna Lou (Hart) Baum. Jerry is survived by his sister, Betty Ella Speed (Jim) of Ft. Wayne, IN, and by his three daughters: Catherine Baum-Newlin Bechtel (Michael), Bloomington, IN, Jennifer Gieselman, Evansville, IN, and Julia Bauer (Charles), Indianapolis, IN. He is also survived by his two stepchildren, Jerry Johnson, New York City, NY, and Sherry Smith (Mike) of Vincennes, IN. Other survivors include: 7 Grandchildren, 2 Step Grandchildren, 1 Step Great Grandchild and 5 Great Grandchildren. Jerry loved spending time with his family and valued his friendships through each chapter of his life. Jerry was a proud graduate of the Evansville F. J. Reitz High School Class of 1952. Jerry's work on set design earned him membership to the Thespians at Reitz as well as having great memories playing football as #56 for the Reitz Panthers under Coach Herman Byers. Jerry attended Indiana University and studied business. Later, he studied art history and watercolor at the University of Evansville earning a teaching certificate. Mr. Baum also proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps which concluded with an Honorable Discharge in February 1961. Jerry's artistic teaching career touched many lives through his classes, workshops, lectures, and demonstrations in familiar local settings, family farms, and nature venues with old and young alike. His highly sought-after teachings would also take place at the University of Evansville, University of Southern Indiana, Harlaxton College in Grantham, England, and various other cities throughout the US, Europe, South America and Africa. Mr. Baum's associations included: Trinity United Methodist Church of Evansville First United Methodist Church, Vincennes Indiana Presbyterian Church, Vincennes Life Member of DeMolay Rotary International Watercolor USA Honor Society Founding Member of Watercolor USA California Watercolor Society American Watercolor Society - Associate Member Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels In his early years, Jerry was a DJ at Radio stations: WPCO, WIKY, WBNL, WGBF, WBTO and later worked at reporting news and weather at TV stations: 62 (WEHT), 14 (WFIE) in Evansville, IN. He was a Publication Illustrator for 12 years with Scripps Howard Newspapers (The Evansville Courier & Press). Later, Mr. Baum's career flourished as a Watercolor Artist and Global Mission Artist where he produced his artwork in his many private studios. In addition to Evansville, Jerry resided in Santa Claus, IN, Monterey, CA, and Vincennes, IN all while producing his art, listening to jazz, playing golf, and reconnecting with friends and family. Over the years, Mr. Baum's artwork had been selected by juried competition to the Watercolor USA Exhibit at the Springfield (MO) Art Museum with his most recent entry in March 2022 for his "Sunset" watercolor featuring his signature tree image. Jerry's art received various awards throughout his career. Many of his paintings, graphite drawings, and ink washes are featured in embassies worldwide as well as displayed in countless homes, businesses, churches and schools, and medical facilities in the far corners of the US. Jerry's main focus in his 50+ year artist's career was to use his talent to serve others as a Global Mission Artist. He traveled extensively worldwide for inspiration and to partner with religious, educational, and humanitarian causes. Mr. Baum enjoyed teaching, and performing live painting concerts with organists and orchestras including 3 performances at Evansville's sister city in Osnabruck, Germany. From the hills of his native southern Indiana to Israel's Jordan Valley, London's Trafalgar Square, historic Germany, Scotland's St. Andrew's Bay, the Bolivian Andes and Zaire, Africa, Mr. Baum held numerous one-man art shows. Jerry also illustrated several historical publications and for magazines. Back at home, Jerry's art reflected many southern Indiana historical landmarks. He provided the official commissioned portrait of the USS Navy's Kearsarge. Other special projects included: Historic Evansville Gold Seal Series, "Lincoln's Boyhood Cabin" for Gov. Robert D. Orr, the Performing Arts Series with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Mission to Jerusalem and Israel, Mission to Zaire, Africa commissioned by the United Methodist Church Global Mission Office, NY, and IN Foundation of the UMC, and the General Conference of Methodist Bishops emblem mural. He enjoyed creating his Coaches Series art and Hadi Shriner Series. For 20 years, Mr. Baum created the American Cancer Society's annual Christmas card, raising significant funds for that organization. Most recently, one of Jerry's largest murals of the Evansville Riverfront was transferred to the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library's Central Branch for public viewing. Jerry always said that "Painting for me is communicating - a way to touch and teach people. It is also an expression of my deep reverence for life and sincere appreciation of nature." Jerry N. Baum hoped to leave behind his art for others to enjoy and from which to learn the craft he held dear as he often stated, "Knowledge for the arts is knowledge for the future." The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the staff at BridgePointe Health Campus and Good Samaritan Hospital and Hospice in Vincennes, Indiana, for their care and support of Jerry these past few years. And lastly, a very special thank you to Dr. Charles Hendrix, Jr. for his care and friendship. Services: Saturday, November 12, 2022 Goodwin Funeral Home 524 Broadway Street Vincennes, IN 47591 *Visitation: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm (EST) *Visitors are asked to bring one of their own Jerry Baum works of art, if they wish, to have displayed during the visitation and service. Service: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Interment: Private for family immediately following service at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Boonville, Indiana. Contributions may be made to the Knox County Community Foundation for Jerry N. Baum Crossroads USA Scholarship Fund. At a later date, the family will establish additional art student scholarships at University of Southern Indiana and the University of Evansville. Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Jerry N. Baum.