Frederick Herman Baur

Fred was born in Chicago, Illinois, on February 28, 1926, the only son of Phillip and Lena Baur. The family moved to Tieton, Washington in 1935, where they established an orchard of apples and pears and ran a small greenhouse.

Fred earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture from Washington State University in 1950. That same year, he met Rose Huck, and they were married the following year on August 4, 1951. As a team, they worked together for the next 50 years to build Baur's Greenhouse into a successful wholesale business in Yakima, Washington. In 1990 his son Ken joined the effort to keep the family business in its prime until its closing in 2006. Having no siblings, he appreciated his two cousins, Richard (Joyce) Baur and Edward Baur speaking with them often. Fred was fond of saying that he learned from Rose how to “do” family, as she had 10 siblings to whom he became a big brother, mentor, and friend.

Together they raised five children, Patricia (Ken Hutcherson) of Redmond, Washington, Susan (Thomas Parker), Cynthia (Brian Hunter), Kenneth (Mary Reed), and Kathleen (Rick Perez) of Yakima, Washington. His children all followed in his footsteps by graduating from Washington State University. He was the proud grandfather of 15 grandchildren and one great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 55 years, Rose Baur. He will be missed by his family including his son-in-laws whom he treated as sons and whom they honored as a father.

Fred enjoyed traveling, visiting many locations in the United States and abroad. He also enjoyed a good laugh, large family dinners, dancing, discussions with his life-long friends and grandchildren, and motorcycle trips in his younger years. He was passionate about his work and appreciated his many customers and employees. He was always able to find a job for brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews, his children and grand-children whenever they needed employment.

Visitation will be from 4-8 P.M. Thursday, March 25th at Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. His life will be celebrated during a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Paul Cathedral at 9 A.M. on Friday, March 26, 2010 with concluding services at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements are by Keith and Keith Funeral Home.

Arrangements under the direction of Keith & Keith Funeral Home, Yakima, WA.