Harry Baumgardner

Harry was born June 18, 1926, in Philadelphia, PA. His mother Rosemarie (Abate), and father, Jacob Harrison Baumgardner. Harry joined the Navy during WWII and was turrent gunner in a TBM dive bomber in the Pacific Theatre. After the war he was stationed in the Mojave Desert mothballing airplanes at the Mojave Airport, CA. He was discharged in Long Beach, CA. He entered his 40 years in the oil industry. First assigned to Point Barrow, Alaska. The company had a contract with the Navy Dept Looking for oil. They drilled, checked for oil and then capped wells. Worked next in Houma, Louisiana, Gulf of Mexico. He was transferred there to familiarize himself with offshore platforms. Next he was sent to Keizer Steel, in Richmond, CA. and was supervisor in charge of building platform, when completed towed by tugboat to Cook Inlet, Ak. He was in charge of installation. Transferred to Ventura, CA. He did onshore production for 7 years. Next assignment was Tripoli, Libya, Sahara Desert. He installed an area called 29C oil field. Then transferred to Aberdeen, Scotland, North Sea. Final assignment Lima, Peru, Peruvian Jungle. Installed oil field. Harry discovered airplanes when he was six. He and his mother used to take trolley car to Franklin Institute to see "The Spirit of St. Louis". His first airplane a PT19, was originally used as an army pilot training aircraft, he acquired it by paying delinquent hanger fees at Taft, CA. airport. Next he bought his 1947 Stinson Station Wagon and enjoyed flying this wonderful airplane until his resent death. He leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Dorothy, Sister-in-law Pat Mott of Bakersfield, Ca, brother and sister-in-law Robert and Janet Mott of Roseburg, Or, sister-in-law Katherine Mott of Bakersfield, niece Kathleen and her Husband John Goetjen of Bakersfield, CA niece Maria and her husband John Peet of Bakersfield, CA. Special nephews Clifford Peet wife Luree and children of Caliente, Ca, Mike Peet wife Stieve and children of Bakersfield, Ca. And extended family and friends.