G. Kenneth Baum, prominent philanthropist and Kansas City financier, dies at 91
G. Kenneth Baum, a prominent philanthropist and Kansas City financier, died Tuesday from age-related health complications at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, according to an obituary submitted to The Star.
Baum was the former chief executive officer of the Kansas City investment bank George K. Baum & Co., and with his wife, Ann Baum, gave back to the Kansas City community by serving on numerous boards and through philanthropy focused on education, the arts and conservation.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art mourned his death in a story posted to its website saying that he and his wife have been “deeply involved in and supportive” of the museum for many years, including serving on its board of trustees four separate terms, beginning in 1996 and ending in April 2020.
“Kenny’s tenure on the Board of Trustees was transformative for the Nelson-Atkins,” said Rick Green, chair of the board. “He was an energized philanthropist, and he challenged us to be our best. He was consistently a strong voice for what would ultimately make the museum better.”
Baum’s generosity included a gift of two sculptures to the museum in honor of his wife. He was present last month for a Society of Fellows and Business Council reception, as the group celebrated his gift of a sculpture, The Bench, 1989, by artists Niki de Saint Phalle and Marina Karella.
“Whether he was serving on the Board or between terms, Kenny was always a devoted, formidable presence among museum leadership, and his advice was valued and prized,” said Julián Zugazagoitia, CEO and director of the Nelson-Atkins. “He was unfailingly generous in his love for the museum and also his love for Ann. I will miss him very much.”
At the time, Baum served as a member of the board of trustees of the Kansas Chapter of The Nature Conservancy; president and director of Blue River Land Trust; University of Missouri—Kansas City Trustees Emeritus and as a Trustee of the George K. Baum Family Foundation and the G. Kenneth Baum and Ann Baum Philanthropic Fund.
He has previously served on the board of directors of the Jewish Heritage Foundation, Kansas City Economic Development Council, the New Reform Temple and Menorah Medical Center.
Baum was born July 6, 1930, in Kansas City to his parents, George Kohler and Ruth Goodman Baum. He studied history at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, and graduated in 1952.
Upon graduating, he began his professional career at George K. Baum & Co., which focused on the underwriting and sale of municipal bonds. He succeeded his father and founder of the business after he had a debilitating stroke.
Baum married Jean Berkley in 1960 and they had three children, Jonathan, George and Jessica. They divorced in 1988.
“Kenny took tremendous pride in the work of municipal finance, raising capital for cities, states, hospitals, school district and related entities,” according his obituary. “He believed it to be a noble business and took delight in quizzing friends and family, asking them to guess the name of the city that served as the county seat for each county in Kansas and Missouri.”
In 1994, Baum sold the business to his son, Jon, and continued in an advisory role as the firm expanded to 24 cities and 200 employees.
In 2002, Baum married Ann Kaufmann and their love of the arts, music, travel and family “fostered a deep love admiration for each other.”
In addition to his philanthropy, Baum was dedicated to preserving nature. For over 30 years, Baum assembled acreage in southern Johnson County to preserve its natural state.
Baum worked to conserve nature across Kansas and was a founding member of the Kansas Chapter of the Nature Conservancy’s board of trustees.
Baum used his experience to help advise and grow businesses, including serving on several boards including the American City Business Journals, Inc., H&R Block, Inc., and Interstate Bakeries Corp., among others.
He is survived by his wife, Ann, his son Jon Baum and his family; his daughter Jessica Pasmore and her family; and his wife’s daughters Rachel Loeb and Emily Loeb and their families.
A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 17. at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in the Atkins Auditorium. A reception will follow in the Bloch Lobby. Masks and proof of vaccination will be required for entry.
This story was originally published November 12, 2021 at 3:20 PM.
