M. Walter Baum, 94, of Lancaster, died Thursday, July 19, 2012, at Masonic Village. He was employed in the auto industry for 40 years as a mechanic and service manager for local dealerships.

During the outbreak of WWII, he worked at Jacobs Aircraft Factory, Pottstown, as a line foreman in the manufacturing of Pratt-Whitney aircraft engines. Walter later returned to Lancaster and worked for Armstrong World Industries as a welder of bomb-rack fabrication. He was inducted into the US Army and spent 18 months training at Camp Gordon, GA in the Infantry Replacement Unit. After being discharged he worked for Sears Roebuck for 12 years in sales and division management. Walter then returned to the auto industry and worked in the sales department at Wolf Motor Co. until retirement in 1981.

He was a member of Manheim Lodge #587 F. & A.M. for more than 30 years. An active musician, he composed many songs for Dice Publishing Co. with Bert Gardner. A gold card life member of the Great Lancaster Federation of Music Local #294, he performed with many musical groups playing banjo, guitar and vocals in the Lancaster and Florida areas. Walter co-authored two musical comedy plays "Back in Texas" and "Tops and Bottoms". One of his short stories "Hearing a Symphony of the Past" was published in the Sunday News 1984 Edition. In 1993 he won a citation from the "National Library of Poetry" and his poem entitled "Senior Citizen Lament" was published in their 1993 year book. Walter was a member of the Lancaster Art Association and won many awards in oil and other mediums. His rendition of "Pandora's Antiques", a mixed medium, won 3rd place in 1999 at the 13th Annual Senior Arts Festival of PA.

His late wife of 60 years Rosella "Betty" E. Kroplesky Baum died in 1999. Born in Enola, he was the son of the late James S. and Lillian Shaub Baum. Surviving are 5 children, Gloria M. Diffey, Novato, CA, James W. Baum, Lewes, DE, David L. Baum, Lancaster, Victoria I. Schlott, Stevens, and Robert B. Baum, Novato, CA, 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Walter was preceded in death by his sister Margaret Kendig.

The Funeral will take place 11 AM Friday, July 27, 2012, at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA, with The Rev. Dana Statler officiating. A Viewing will be held from 10AM to 11AM at the funeral home. Interment in Millersville Mennonite Cemetery with Honors accorded by Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to The Salvation Army, 131 S. Queen St., Lancaster, PA 17603 or to Water Street Mission, P.O. Box 7267, Lancaster, PA 17604. To send the family online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-5100