Hans Joerg Baumann

July 14, 1937 - January 30, 2021 Milpitas

Hans was born to Gertrud and Friedrich Baumann in Crailsheim, Germany.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years Catherine, Son Gregory, Daughter Cynthia Ubelhor (Michael) and Son Scott (Michelle), his beloved grandsons Jacob and Riley. He also leaves behind his brother Rolf (Doris) and sister Ulrike Gehring, both of Crailsheim brother in law Ron Bals (Judy) as well as 2 nieces in California and the UK and 6 nephews all residing in Germany.

Hans emigrated from Germany to Canada in 1957. After his arrival, he went to work in the gold mines of Rouen in Quebec. After some time, wanderlust set in, he left Quebec and headed west to Edmonton, Alberta. It was there that he approached the US Consulate in an effort to obtain an immigration visa for the US. He was staying at a local YMCA where he met a gentleman from Red Wing, Minnesota who was setting out on a long trek to Alaska to promote the Boys Clubs of America. Alaska had just become a state and the goal was to establish a Boys Club there. The gentleman was looking for a traveling companion, and Hans was delighted to join him in the effort. The two made their way to Alaska ~ a trip that took them more than 3 months and on foot covered more than 3100 miles. After returning to Edmonton, he received the long-awaited news that his immigration visa to the US had been granted. He made his way back to Alaska (via rail this time) and crossed into the US at Tok Junction, Alaska. He was the first immigrant to enter the US at that entry point in the newly admitted State of the Union!

Hans worked at a uranium mine for a while, but the warmer weather of California beckoned, and Hans made his way to Madera, California where he went to work at a dairy farm for a man he’d met in Alaska. After a short time, Hans moved to San Jose where worked for a construction company owned by a compatriot German. It was through that man’s German family that Hans met his future wife Catherine.

In December 1961 he received his military draft notice.

He was enthusiastic about entering the US Army. In fact, he volunteered for service. After basic training at Fort Ord, CA and advanced infantry training at the Presidio of Monterey, Hans received orders to a duty station at the DMZ in South Korea. In June 1962 he sailed out of the Oakland Army terminal for the long voyage to Pusan. His tour of duty lasted 13 months which included tense filled days at the DMZ during the Cuban missile crisis. Hans returned to California in July 1963 with orders that would take him to a German duty station after a 30 day leave in the US.

It was during this leave that he and Catherine became engaged. Hans left for Germany in August and Catherine followed him in March 1964. They were married in Hans’ hometown of Crailsheim on the 20th Anniversary of D-day, June 6, 1964.

Their son Gregory was born in Heidelberg during Hans’ tour of duty in Germany. The escalating tensions in Vietnam resulted in 25K US troops being returned to the States, Hans among them. He was posted to Ft. Campbell, KY, after receiving Drill Instructor training at Ft. Mcclellan, AL. During their posting in Kentucky daughter Cynthia was born. Hans spent two years as a drill instructor training new recruits, most of whom were sent to Vietnam after basic training.

Hans was discharged from active duty in April 1968 and the family returned to California. Son Scott was born in Santa Clara shortly after their return.

Hans studied for a while, but then decided to try his luck at selling real estate. He added to that a contractor’s license and for several years-built homes in Morgan Hill and later San Jose. All the while, he served in the US Army Reserves which he joined soon after the family returned to California.

Hans had apprenticed as a tailor during his youth in Germany, a profession which he deeply disliked, but his parents were master tailor and seamstress and so it was up to him to someday take over the family tailoring business. His dream, however, always was to become a chef de cuisine!

He finally got the chance when his eldest son announced that there was a German Restaurant for sale in San Jose. The restaurant was Teske’s Germania. He approached the owners, and after some negotiations, the Teske family was happy to sell the restaurant to the Baumann family for it would remain a “family busines”. And so, it is until today. Hans ran the restaurant with his three children, Gregory in charge of the bar, Cynthia the dining rooms and Scott the kitchen after having spent a year in Germany doing a culinary arts practical study. Hans retired from the military in 1992 and from the restaurant in 2002, but he could be found at the restaurant every day. It was his dream come true and he loved it and all the many wonderful patrons!

Hans and his wife traveled extensively both before and after retirement, the last trip a cruise from Montreal to New York, a city he loved. He was already relegated to a wheelchair, but the wander lust never left him. Hans lived a full and productive life and was proud to be an American citizen and very proud to have served his adopted country for 30 years.

“Ade, mein Hans, es war eine tolle Lebensreise” ~ Now rest in peace dear Hans. It was a life well lived!

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the wonderful care givers at Kaiser Hospice, his nurse Nicole, his home health care giver Heidi, Social Worker Greg and Chaplain Brian. Many thanks too to his physician Dr. Ed Hattler and to his two wonderful care givers, Tracy and Evelyn – all of whom took wonderful care of him.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made in Hans’ memory to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Diabetes Association. Interment will be private.