William H. Baumer, PhD and Judith Baumer

Born in Louisville, Ky., Baumer was raised in Cleveland. After serving in Germany with the U.S. Army from 1953-56, he earned a BA in philosophy from Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and an MA and PhD in philosophy from the University of Wisconsin, Madison ? all within seven years.

Judy was raised on a dairy farm during the Depression and through World War II, where she enjoyed horseback riding and always had a St. Bernard to accompany her. Upon completion of high school, she became the first in her family to attend college, earning a BS in English from Mission House College (now Lakeland University) near Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Active on the yearbook staff, she met Bill through his brother/roommate; they dated through his service with the U. S. Army and married a year after his return. Judy taught high school English and Forensics for several years; during this time, she supported Bill as he completed his studies and they began their family.

Judy and Bill moved to Western New York when he joined the faculty of the University at Buffalo in 1962, after brief stints teaching at the University of Nevada and the University of North Dakota. Bill held numerous and widely varying roles during his 52-year career at UB, among them assistant vice president for academic affairs, controller, and program consultant and program officer for the National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (now known as MCEER) when the center was established at UB in 1986. Judy was active in the University Women’s Club, spearheading fundraisers for the Grace Capen Academic Scholarship Fund, launching an equestrian club, and serving as president of the organization.

Bill passed away in 2014 and Judith in 2019.

Pictured: Bill and Judith Baumer