CWO3 Harry Baab, USN Retired, of Virginia Beach, died peacefully in his home on Sunday, November 11, 2018. He was born on August 18, 1953, in Germany to Erich Karl Nikolaus Baab and Hildegard Anna (Hager) Baab.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 41 years, Deborah “Debbie” (Anderson) Baab; daughter Heidi Salway and her husband Kyle; grandchildren Riley Paige and Kaitlyn Malloy; brother Fred Baab; nieces and a nephew; and an extended network of friends that have grown to become family. Harry is predeceased by his mother, father, and sister, Monique (Baab) Rogers.
A military honors service will be held on Friday, November 30, 2018, at Altmeyer Funeral Home (5033 Rouse Dr. Virginia Beach, VA) at 6:00 PM, with a time to gather and share with family and friends until 9:00 PM. The Altmeyer Funeral Home-Southside Chapel is assisting with arrangements.
Memorial gifts recommended to the charity of your choice.
Note: Obituary will be posted to The Virginian Pilot on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Written for my dad's service booklet, I share this as it offers just a glimmer of the many things that made my dad special and that I hold tight to each day.
Outgoing, friendly, dedicated, passionate, adventurous, comical. A selection of words to describe some of the best traits about my dad. Dad never met a stranger. If you became part of my dad’s world, you were in. He would give you his shirt off his back in a heartbeat.
The last year has been tough. Having a serious decline in health, Dad continued to maintain an optimism that many would shy away from. Even in his worst moments, Dad would share that he was willing to deal with the pain if it meant he could continue to try to get better. There were so many wonderful glimmers of hope to hold on to during his journey, but in the end, his heart could not keep him here with us.
There has always been a strong drive to keep Dad going. This drive made for a successful military career.He loved the roles he played as a Chief, as an instructor, as a Warrant Officer. His hair was always perfect, his mustache always trimmed, his uniforms crisp and his extreme punctuality always intact. Dad liked to talk about how important it was to care for your people so that they would do a good job for you and that you could get the work done right the first time. As I review old files with my mom and look for words, for memories, for the right things to say, I see the awards and recognitions that helped prove his theories.
When retirement from the Navy came, so did new adventures. Cadillac car sales, real estate agent, over the road truck driver. He also managed to fit in a few boats, deep sea fishing outings, golfing and a Harley to keep things interesting. When the time was right, my dad got a call from a former Navy colleague that helped guide him to Virginia International Terminals. Dad gave his all to his second career, just as he had his first. Long hours, crazy schedules, he always made sure he focused on the good of his “troops” and ensuring that they were taken care of. When he retired, he was blown away by the praise and job well-done from the special men and women he cared deeply for.
My dad could make you laugh. Try watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation with him. He would watch the movie once a year and would laugh and laugh over the same parts, so tickled by a scene; as if he had never seen it before. He would look at you with his eyebrows raised before offering a witty comment and just loved to get a rise out of people, especially my mom.
Dad taught me the importance of thinking things through. I think this is what made things great for my parents. I have been lucky to see my parents always stick things out, celebrating 41 years this past August. My dad was stubborn, my mom very strong; someone was always going to triumph. The key was that regardless of the win, they made things work. I can still see my dad’s smirk as my mom would tell him, “Harry, it’s not always about you. Repeat after me.” My dad would reciprocate, repeat the words, and then smile. A priceless smile.
Special moments and memories have been made over the years. Some of the best have been so simple. There have been family dinners on Sunday nights, visits after work to share how my day went or to see how my parents were doing, Kyle and my dad watching football or golf together, and taking weekend camping trips. As I think back, there may have been many small moments, but, they really were big. Very big. Nothing will happen again with Dad in a physical presence, but somehow, I must believe he will be with us always.
Recently, I had many impactful conversations with my dad. To the very end, Dad described his sincere gratitude and love for the many friends made over the years; the pride in his granddaughters, his love for my mom, and the special relationship he built with Kyle. My dad had so much love in his heart for so many. To the many friends that visited, that checked in, that have been there for my dad, my mom, me, or our family over the years, thank you. Thank you for loving my dad, for enjoying his company, for making him feel appreciated, and now, moving forward, for remembering him. Whatever my dad’s new mission is, he will give 100% as he always has.
God Bless the U.S.A.
By: Lee Greenwood
If tomorrow all the things were gone
I worked for all my life
And I had to start again
With just my children and my wife
I'd thank my lucky stars,
To be livin' here today.
Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
And they can't take that away.
And I'm proud to be an American,
Where at least I know I'm free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
Who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
Next to you and defend her still today.
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
From the lakes of Minnesota,
To the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston,
And New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
And it’s time we stand and say.
That I'm proud to be an American,
Where at least I know I'm free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
Who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
Next to you and defend her still today.
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
And I'm proud to be and American,
Where at least I know I'm free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
Who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
Next to you and defend her still today.
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
© Universal Music Publishing Group
So after going to the memorial for Harry on Friday night, I sat in the hotel room the next morning and told Paula a story that was normal Harry. Harry would never get excited or lose control especially in clutch situations. Back in the 90's both Harry and I were assigned to the test sites at Lakehurst NJ. Harry was the Bosn and I was the LCPO. The test sites had a helo platform and Harry and I were required to go to LSE school down in Norfolk. It was a weeklong course at the time and on Wednesday Harry invited me to dinner and told me I would be staying over and we would just go to class in the morning. Harry was his normal self and quite the host. He had my (at that time) favorite beer and he then grilled the most amazing steaks on the grill. We had a great evening and probably solved a lot of the worlds problems. The next morning he wakes me and says we are leaving in 15 minutes, I take a navy shower put on my khakis and we are off. In the caddy with Harry behind the wheel, he was his usual self, checking his hair in the mirror one hand on the wheel, cup of coffee in hand. Don't remember what road we are on, but Harry was in the left lane doing about 50, then without raising his voice or any type of face change what so ever he looks at me and says the accelerator is stuck. Sure enough he pulls his foot all the way back and the car is still moving and pretty fast at that. He looked and stayed so calm it just blew my mind. He very carefully slid over to the right lane, then pushed the shfiter to neutral as he slid over to the shoulder and then into a parking lot of some store front. The car comes to a stop but the engine is still pushing a couple of thousand RPM's. Harry puts on the emergency brake, pops the hood and gets out of the car. The car is loud and the fan is blowing and Harry just stands there with his hands on his hips looking over the entire engine. After about what seemed like an enternity but really 20 seconds or so, Harry reaches to the accelrator cable and just gives it a little pull. The engine goes back to idle and Harry just looks at me and shurgs his shoulders. He shuts the hood, gets back in the car, removes the brake, shifts to drive and pulls out back on the road. I am in the passenger seat completely blown away. He looks in the mirror and checks his hair and picks his coffe back up. I look at Harry and say; so I guess this has happened before. Harry just shakes his head and says no, and that was the first time it ever happened. I told him no way and he stood by his statement that it was the first time it happened. I just sat there and thought to myself, wow this guy is just too smooth, what patience and so calm especially in that type of situation. From that day forward all I ever said to myself is if I could stay half as calm as Harry in a clutch situation I would be the coolest guy on the planet - next to Harry of course. I really cannot put my finger on it, but Harry always made you feel like you wanted to be a better person. If you took the time to read this whole story, you know just how smooth Harry really was in that type of situation. I am still so truly upset that he is gone, the world needed Harry, he should have been the next president of the United States. Rest in peace Harry, you are dearly missed.
No better friend you will ever have than Harry, What do you say about someone that always had your back, A big brother pointing you in the right direction, A mentor that made your life all that you dreamed of. My naval career turned out the way it did due to a large part of Harry's direction and help. My biggest regret at this point is me writing this and not being able to tell him how blessed I've been having had him in my life. Thanks for everything shipmate. Looking at all the pictures of Harry with friends and family one thing is for sure, he lived a blessed life with a women that as Harry would say, " was the love of his life", he told me while we were deployed in 1978/79 how lucky he was to have married her and how crazy in love he was with her. We all knew that she was the rock of the family and always had his back for 41 years. Knowing Harry like I do he would not change a thing in the life that he lived or the people that he lived it with. Pat and I have been blessed having Harry, Debbie and Heidi in our life. The pain that we all feel on his passing is a direct reflection on how special he was in all our lives. Rest in peace Papa H. Pat, Harold Wiese
Harry has a couple of things in common with Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh , he likes beer and republicans
I first meet Harry about 1988 when he and his family moved next door and have been friends ever since. We and a bunch of his cohorts( the stupid bastards golf association) years back took many a golf trips to Myrtle Beach and he may be the only person have know to takes his own towels & toilet paper because its softer than the resorts. He always had a comb in his pocket so his hair was perfect , never out of place
Poker night was a blast and latter towards the end of the night Harry would fall asleep sitting up in his chair we had to wake him up to bet having no idea how much the bet was, he covered the bet and ended up winning the hand most of the time ( lucky shit )
Harry I love you like a brother and will always be in my heart. Hope to be able to play golf with you again. Rest in Peace
