Russell Oliver Baum, 88, of Ashton, Idaho and Mesa, Arizona, died Friday, March 30, 2018 in Mesa, Arizona of natural causes.  He was born May 19, 1929 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Oliver Baum and E. Luella Orme Baum.  He was their only child.

He was raised on the family farm near Ashton, Idaho.  After attending his early school years in the Ashton area, Russ attended Idaho Falls High School and returned to the farm during school breaks.

Russ attended University of Idaho and was active in pep band, AF ROTC, and the Delta Tau Delta fraternity.  He graduated with a BS degree in Agricultural Engineering and then was commissioned into the Air Force as a lieutenant.

In the Air Force, Russ was sent to meteorology school at University of Washington for one year.  He was later stationed in Korea during the war forecasting weather for the pilots.

He was later stationed at Westover AFB near Springfield, Mass. where he met Veronica (Roni) Margaret Minasian whom he married on April 9, 1955.  After returning briefly to the family farm for potato harvest, Russ and Roni traveled to the University of Washington where he completed his second Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology in 1956 before returning permanently to the farm where he and Roni had a family of four children.

As a farmer, he introduced several innovative farming practices. He also enjoyed skiing, traveling, and wrote in his daily journal which, of course, included the weather of the day.  He was an avid family historian and authored family directories for both the Baum and Orme Families. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He was involved in the Farm Bureau, local politics, and active in community affairs.

In later years, Russ and Roni would leave the snow and cold to spend winters in Mesa, Arizona.  They loved the warmth of the sun and the warmth of their new snowbird friends.  He co-founded the Vintage Cruisers Car Club and was active in other social activities.

Both his immediate family and his extended family of cousins were very important to Russ. He was a quiet and gentle man. He was very inspirational to many and adored by his children.

Russ is survived by his children; R. Kent (Chi Ann) Baum of Ashton, ID, Camille (Jack III) Waller of Dove Canyon, CA, Alan (Shelley) Baum of Ashton, ID, and Kristine Baum of Idaho Falls, ID.  Russ had nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Roni Baum and a great-grandson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 9, at the Ashton Tri-Ward Building, 1313 North 3600 East, with Bishop Curt Judy officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and Monday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m., both times at the church. Interment will be in the Pineview Cemetery under the direction of Baxter Funeral Home with military rites by the American Legion and Air Force Honor Guard.