Robert “Bobby” Mullen Baum Jr. died Monday, Dec. 24, 2007.
He was born Oct. 7, 1926, in Rodanthe, N.C., the son of Robert Mullen and Gertrude Midgett Baum. He was delivered by his maternal grandmother, Orenda “Gramma Rendy” in her home.
His family lived in Baum Town (Wanchese), North Carolina until they moved to Norfolk, Va., in 1936. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1944 and was a veteran of World War II, serving as Quarter Master 3rd Class on USCG Covington PF56.
He then went to work for Virginia Ferry Corporation, on ferries running from Little Creek to Cape Charles, Va. He worked as a tug master and docking pilot for several different companies in Norfolk. One of the highlights of his life was the eight years he served as tug master on the W.R.Coe in Norfolk. Crews he hired became life-long friends who encouraged and supported each other as life passed into the twilight years and beyond.
In 1975, he transferred to the United States-controlled Panama Canal ("Crossroads of the World"), where he finished his Civil Service career, doing the work he had loved from young childhood. He said many times that there was never a day during his long career that he didn’t look forward to work. For seventeen years, he piloted ships from every country in the world, transiting between the Atlantic and the Pacific.
He retired in 1992 and lived in Manns Harbor, N.C., until he moved to Alabama in 1996, where he resided until his death. He had 52 years in the profession, 44 of which were piloting ships.
He was of the Methodist faith. He was a Master Mason, and a member of the Shriners.
Survivors include his wife, Joann D. Baum; five children from a previous marriage, Robert Mullen (Janet) Baum III of the Republic of Panama, Christiana Powers of Norfolk, Va., Rebecca B. (James) Gometz of Chesapeake, Va., Kevin W. Baum of Winterville, N.C., and Jonathan D. (Debi) Baum of Kill Devil Hills, N.C.; eight grandchildren, Robert Mullen (Jenny) Baum IV of Mexico City, Mexico, Erika Baum of Panama City, Panama, Genevieve (Ron) Knowlton of Hampton, Va., Allyson and Travis Gometz of Chesapeake, Va., Warren, Samuel and Daniel Baum of Manns Harbor, N.C.; two great-grandchildren: Meredith and Chandler Warner of Hampton, Va.; four step-grandchildren, Luke, Matthew, Lauren and Thomas Mahler of Kill Devil Hills, N.C.; three step-sons, William A. (Geri) Foster of Dunnellon, Fla., Michael K. Foster of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Kirk A. Foster of Fairhope; and sister, Ivadean B. (Glen) Smith of Norfolk, Va.
A "Celebration of Life" memorial service will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25 from the chapel of Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, 19698 Greeno Road, Fairhope.
A service will also be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20 at Roanoke Island Presbyterian Church, Manteo, N.C.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Director of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.
Arrangements were made by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Fairhope.
