Obituary of Edwin Baumgart

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Edwin (Ed) Wilfred Baumgart passed away peacefully on Friday, May 02, 2025, at the not-too-shabby age of 90 years and 321 days or, in the words of a mathematician, 87.9452% of his 91st year. For those of you who didn't pay attention in Mr. Baumgart's math class, he was just shy of 91.

Ed was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose warmth, intelligence, and gentle spirit touched all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by Mary (Currie), his devoted wife of nearly 65 years; his loving children Nancy (Kim), Jim (Victoria), and Patricia (Shawn); his cherished grandchildren, Erinn (Nathan), Cole, Eden, and Kate and his treasured great-grandchildren: Rosemary and Donovan. Ed is also survived by his younger brother Roy (Eleanor), numerous cousins, and his two nephews, Don (Laki) and Eric (Anna). Ed touched the lives of his extensive circle of friends with his humility, steadfastness, and kindness. 

Ed is predeceased by his parents, Leo and Olga, as well as by two sweet souls, Beverly Anne (1963) and Christopher Mark (1971), Ed and Mary's children who died in infancy. 

Ed's early years were spent in Kitchener where his first generation immigrant parents established themselves as new Canadians and embraced their adopted community whole heartedly. He attended McMaster University, where he completed his BSc Honours Mathematics. In 1957, after doffing his commencement cap in the air, Ed landed feet first into the classroom at Eastwood C.I., where he developed and honed his teaching style over the next four years. He moved to Waterloo C.I. when it opened in 1960, sharing his love of numbers and his expertise with staff and students. Leaving WCI in capable hands, Ed returned to Eastwood in 1964 as the Mathematics Department Head, a position he held for the remainder of his 34-year teaching career, finally marking his last exam in 1991.

Ed was recognized by students, colleagues, and the education community as an outstanding teacher who was also very involved in extracurricular activities. He coached a number of school sports teams including volleyball, cross-country skiing, basketball and football, as well as mathematics contest teams. Ed was a co-founder of the Waterloo County Mathematics League and the Grand Valley Mathematics Association. He worked as a writer and contest marker with the Canadian Mathematics Competition Problems Committee for many years. 

Ed was awarded the Descartes Medal for outstanding contribution to mathematics education in the schools of Ontario, the Stewart Award for Teacher Excellence, and the Eastwood Student Parliamentary Award for outstanding extracurricular support. In the midst of his teaching career, Ed earned his Master of Education degree at the University of Toronto (OISE). Ed was a natural talent in the classroom, and he was forever warmly greeted by past students wherever he went. Mr. Baumgart knew them all by name and could most often remember which math course he taught them and where they sat in his class.

Ed, along with Mary, was a faithful and long-time member of Mt Zion Lutheran Church, Waterloo. He sat on many church committees and served as the President of Church Council. Ed was instrumental in guiding the current church's construction, completed in 1986, as chair of the Building Committee. He has the distinguished honour of being awarded a symbolic "key" to the church.

Ed's interests and talents were many and varied. He was an active member of the K-W Y's Men Club for many years and enjoyed curling with the Retired Business and Professional Men's Club of K-W. Ed was also at home in the garden and definitely had a green thumb. He was a self-taught woodworker and a self-proclaimed average golfer. Whenever he could, Ed tuned in to watch the Montreal Canadiens, much to the chagrin of Mary, who staunchly bled blue for her hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. In 1987, Ed and Mary settled into “cottage life” on Georgian Bay after spending many summers camping across North America with family and friends.

Dad will be deeply missed, he's been a staple in all our lives since the beginning of time, but his spirit will live on in the hearts of those who loved him, and they are many.  Ed leaves behind a legacy of commitment to community service and the pursuit and love of the education field and all things math.  He was steadfast in his support of family and friends and shared his love, laughter and loyalty with all. 

Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St S, Waterloo, on Friday May 9, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  Ed's funeral service will be held on Saturday May 10, 2025, in the Erb & Good Chapel at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Philip Mathai officiating. There will be an opportunity to visit with family prior to the service, starting at 1:00 p.m.  Refreshments will be served in the Fireside Reception Room following the celebration of Ed's well-lived life. Interment will take place at Parkview Cemetery, 335 University Ave. E., Waterloo. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre would be appreciated by the family and may be made online through the Erb & Good website or at the funeral home itself.  Those unable to attend may join via live stream made available on Ed's tribute page at www.erbgood.com