On Monday, April 6, 2020, Eric Paul Baum, loving son, brother and war veteran, passed away peacefully at age 32 in his home in Navarre, Florida.

Eric was born on March 30, 1988 in Margate, Florida to Charles and Karen Baum. Eric grew up in Boca Raton Florida. He obtained his Florida Emergency Medical Technician license before starting his service in the United States Air Force where he began his career 2008-2017 as a Crew Chef supporting the B-2 at Whitman, AFB, Missouri, then subsequently as a Flying Crew Chief / Staff Sergeant supporting the J and H model 130 aircraft at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas. Eric was combat veteran with numerous deployments to Afghanistan and the Middle East. He serviced the Operation Enduring Freedom and NATO resolution while working closely with Navy Seals. Eric earned several awards during his Air force tenure and was honorably discharged due to injuries endured during his last mission. Upon medical honorable discharge, Eric continued his support the love for his country and the Military by obtaining an A.M.P license and securing a position as a civilian FCC Certified Aircraft Mechanic on Hurlburt Field, Florida with a military contractor.

Eric was a proud and dedicated hard working man who loved supporting his country and our military. As a child, Eric played school and travel baseball. He had a love for riding dirt bikes and fishing. Eric had a passion for his family, offshore fishing, boating and his dogs. He was out on the water any chance he had and was a huge dog lover. Eric took pride in always looking out for his family and friends, especially his Mother, Karen. Eric was honest, loyal, funny and entertaining person to be around. He made everyone laugh with his playful corky banter. Eric touched so many lives and will be greatly missed by friends and family.   The discipline and patriotism Eric learned in the Air Force never left him, as friends and family will attest.

Eric was preceded in death by his grandfather, Julius Baum.

Eric is survived by his father, Charles Baum; mother, Karen Baum; sister, Sheri Menke and brother in law, Matthew Menke and his niece and nephew, Isabella and Maddox; his loving grandmothers, Eleanor Rosenthal and Thelma Thibodeau; grandfather, Maurice Thibodeau along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He also leaves behind his beloved girlfriend, Ashlea and her three children, McKinzey, Wade, and Michael, in addition to his two beloved dogs, Winnie and Nitro.

Eric will be laid to rest in the Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, his Military Honorary Service will be postponed until this summer, followed by a celebration of life in Navarre, Florida. A formal notice of the date and time will to be determined.

In the interim, instead of sending flowers to the family, please donate in honor or memory of Eric to Wounded Warrior Project by calling 855.448.3997 or by clicking the link below,

https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=11585&ovr_acv_id=6794&campaignSource=ONLINE&source=BS20001&gclsrc=aw.ds&ds_rl=1264110&gclid=CjwKCAjw1cX0BRBmEiwAy9tKHkRdDVtk-QwxZtm1zylIh6-YVvtkCD8mHLb0Md-hPHX5kWQZhRAXbBoC46MQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds