Mike was one of my supervisors during his time in DC. He was also one of the best supervisors I've had in my 8 years there. From the start, he showed so much compassion and was a great cheerleader for his employees. He was very inclusive and organized happy hours for us and a tour at the Pentagon (sadly his attempt to get a tour at the White House failed). He even saved my butt at the Pentagon. I'd carry pepper spray during my commutes and forgot to leave it home that day, and it's prohibited at the Pentagon. I told him of my conundrum and without hesitation, he took him from me and checked it in with his items. It may be a silly story, but for a young employee, it made a big impression on me. He was always someone I could confide in about whatever I was going through, and he really looked out for us. I'm so sorry for him and his family's loss. Rest easy, Mike.

I first met Mike Baumgardner in 1994 during our Rat year at Virginia Military Institute. I must admit, I was rather intimidated by Mike as he was already a Marine along with my Rat roommate BJ Dodds. Mike was advanced in drill and ceremony and was an absolute PT (physical training) stud. He could run longer and faster than most of our peers and excelled in pushups, sit-ups and pull ups. It was over the next few years as a next door neighbor that I really got to know Mike. While at times he came off as hard on the outside, he was actually soft on the inside. He always made time when I needed advice despite his rigorous Economics course load and weekend Marine Corps drill.

Room wars-It was during our First Class year as we marched towards graduation where negotiations failed and we entered a new phase of conflict between rooms. Around 2200 hours, my roommate, Ed Neibert, would ignore my recommendation not to mess with Baumgardner and decided it was time to harass Mike and his roommates. This would usually entail Ed waking up Mike with drops of water into his ear lobe and Mike would retaliate with a barrage of MRE bombs against our room into the early morning hours. 

Mike’s stories from his adventures were hilarious and I will miss his smile. Mike was a Patriot who loved his country and sacrificed so much for our nation as a Marine Corps officer and FBI agent. I will cherish the memory of visiting with him and meeting his sons during our 2013 class reunion. Rest in peace warrior. 

Col Jason M. Mitchell, USAF
VMI ‘98

I met Mike about 6 years ago through work. He was especially helpful to me through a career transition and made sure I had all the advice and tools I needed to be successful. I felt very comfortable reaching out to Mike for any question I had (even if I felt it was a dumb question) Mike went out of his way to provide me advice and resources to make good decisions. Through the years he also went out of his way to help other Marines finding jobs and resources. He was my "go to" guy to ask for help for myself and others. Mike will be missed and has made a big impact on numerous people. Myself and others would not be where we are today if Mike had not helped along the way. My thoughts are with his family and Janine. I am very sorry for your loss.

Mike's life exemplified service and duty. His deep love of family and country was unmistakable. I was fortunate to have met Mike as a Marine and benefitted from his intellect, friendship, and stories. I will never forget how Mike's subtle wit and sense of humor always seemed to put me in a pleasant mood. Simply, he was fun to be around. With his passing, society has lost a compassionate, smart, and devoted person. There is no doubt Mike left a positive mark in so many ways during his time on earth and his legacy of courage and strength will stand indefatigably against the test of time. May Mike rest in eternal peace. My deepest condolences to Janine, Avalyn, and the rest of his family. 

"The most important things are the hardest things to say. They are the things you get ashamed of because words diminish your feelings - words shrink things that seem timeless when they are in your head to no more than living size when they are brought out.” (Stephen King)

I immediately wanted to write a tribute about Mike, in my head there was so much to say about him. Only when I sat down to put it into words, I realized that it’s hard to find words that would do him justice. His presence was so much bigger than what words can express.

The first time I met Mike was in December 2015. I had flown in to NYC the day before in order to meet Ian’s family for the first time at his sister Janine’s place in Connecticut after Christmas. Upon arrival Ian told me the devastating news of his father’s unexpected passing and I felt very strange visiting his family during this time of grief and burdening them with my presence as a stranger in their home. To my relief, they all greeted me with open arms. I felt like Mike and me were in the same boat because we were both the add-ons to two siblings. Later that day at the dinner table the family passed around a glass of wine in memory of their father and everybody shared a few words. When the glass made its way to me, the family generously offered I don’t have to say anything and I was relieved. As much as I would have loved to share a few words of sympathy, I couldn’t spontaneously think of anything that would have done the given situation any justice. When Mike received the glass, same pass was offered to him but he decided to speak. And he sure did speak. I can’t remember the exact things he said but what I can remember is how impressed I and everybody else was about his heartfelt message. His empathy was extraordinary and he was able to put into words all the feelings and sympathy that needed to be addressed. That was just one of the many amazing traits of Mike, he could connect with any person in the most effortless way. Everybody liked Mike and he had the genuine ability to make every person feel comfortable in his presence.
Another thing I remember vividly from this first encounter was the way he looked at Janine. You could see that he didn’t just love her, he adored her. In order to spend as much time with her as possible during those tough times, he would sleep in Connecticut only to wake up in the middle of the night to drive down to DC to go to work.
To me, Janine and Mike have the most fairytale relationship, so their fairytale wedding in an old Scottish castle was just the perfect representation of that.
What made the relationship Mike and Janine even more beautiful was the birth of Avalyn, at whom Mike looked the same way he did to Janine.
Mike will forever be missed and he is leaving a void that is impossible to be filled.

The world was a better place with Mike in it, and he will be sorely missed. He was a good agent and a great friend. Our family is so very sorry for your loss.

I met Mike in 1990 when his father Dean and I were partners, along with 2 others in property in Greene County, Pennsylvania. Mike would have been about 14 years old and my boys much younger. I remember deer hunting when Mike was still in high school at the farm everyone had their annual spot. Dean was always “second four post” often with Mike, John below the pond in a stand, and Mike when not with Dean would select a spot that would be the “long shot” always wanting to challenge his skills! After several years, Mike went off to VMI and then the Marines. We didn’t see Mike that often over the next 10 years. Rest assured every night before opening day, Dean would give my sons and I an update on Mike’s travels. Once Mike was in the FBI, we saw him more often. I remember one spring day, I was at the farm with my 4 sons and several of their friends. Dean was there with Mike and the 2 of them had scouted several trails that were not accessible for the quad due to downed trees! Mike made a proposition to the boys, clear the trails and he would let them shoot different firearms he had brought with him. Needless to say, for the next 4 hours the 6 boys cut and cleared every trail! Then Mike organized supervised shooting. The only thing better for teenage boys than shooting is shooting under the instruction of an FBI Agent!! Life gives you some great role models, that was Mike …. a good guy that you wanted your kids to know and be around! 
When Dean died, all 4 of my boys went with Leslie and I to Arlington. They were all so taken with Mike's eulogy for Dean! Shortly after that, Mike returned to the farm with a self made deer stand, meticulously designed and built. He had it designed prior to Dean’s passing, but not completed it. Mike placed the stand at the second four post. That was now Mike's spot, again the long shot!
Over the past several years, we saw Mike more frequently. He spoke often of how well things were going and how lucky he was to have met Janine. In mid September Mike organized a farm work weekend with 3 of my sons, Christopher, Ryan, and Craig along with 2 of their friends. The goal was to move Mike’s stand and elevate it to see over the hill. For 2 solid days they dug and placed posts, cleared about 40 acres with brush hogs and moved the stand 30 yards to be able to see over a hill. With a higher stand they needed a small deck and railing. All designed by Mike, they worked their tails off! Once darkness set in, Mike and I sat at the kitchen table and talked. I told him how I appreciated his discussion with Steve. In early 2019, Steve was considering a career in law enforcement and although I gave him my input, there was no one better to talk to than Mike. Mike gave Steve all sides to consider as I knew he would. I trusted Mike completely! Mike was a reference for Steve who will finish the Pittsburgh Police Academy in February. 
We parted ways Sunday saying we will meet back at the farm for opening day in late November. Rest assured, we will see Mike again! I know he will be over the shoulder of whoever takes the long shot!! My family and I are lucky to have known Mike. He was a great role model for my kids, and a valued companion in their adult lives.
Rest easy Mike, you will be forever missed!
The Morgan’s, Larry, Leslie, Christopher, Ryan, Craig, Laura Jo, and Steve!

There is not enough paper nor ink to write about this great man. Mike was always such a joy and fun person to be around. Forever a gentleman, Mike was full of life, energy, kindness, and humor. 

The second I met Mike, I just knew I had to introduce him to Janine. I was one of the few lucky ones that night to witness “love at first sight” between two people. As it turns out, they were true soul mates. This group of friends will always be inspired by Janine’s and Mikes love for each other. 

Janine, and all the family - our hearts are so heavy with Mike’s passing. Avalyn Victoria, Michael Christopher, and Mathew Joseph - your dad was a great man, a kind man, and he loved you with all his heart. 

Much love and prayers to his soul mate, Janine. He positively inspired and influenced so many people with his strength, kindness, and generosity of spirit. He has left a hole in our hearts that will never be filled. He will truly be missed by all who knew him.

Semper Fidelis and I cannot wait to see you again, my brother.

Vanessa

Dean and my father Ken served in the Marine Corps together and lived in Topsail Island while stationed at Camp Lejeune. They kept in touch by wishing a Happy Birthday each November 10 for the Marine Corps birthday.

I met Mike at dinner in Pittsburgh when we were passing through and our parents got the families together. Turned out, Dean and Mike had this farm in Greene County and it sounded like an absolute dream. Turned out it was.

Dean and Mike had my dad and me out in the spring to hunt chukars and shoot every gun under the sun. We rode 4 wheelers, hiked, threw rocks and stalked deer and small game. I was in awe of this rugged, wild, awesome land and even more in awe of this big teenager brimming with confidence, ability, intelligence and enthusiasm for the outdoors. I’m not afraid to admit that I cried like a little boy when my dad and I drove away from the farm - leaving my new buddy Mike (did he know he was my buddy?) and this breathtaking place.

I ended up in college at Pitt and then working for Heinz and got to spend way more time than I ever expected at the farm. Over the years I hunted deer with Dean and each time I asked “Will Mike be there???” I tried not to bug Mike too much but he certainly knew that I idolized him and I made sure to spend as much time with him as I could every time we hunted together in Greene County. 

Mike got busy with family and I went off to graduate school but after my dad passed in August 2011 (and Dean tragically a few months later), Mike and I reconnected and made a habit of emailing/texting frequently. We both had a lot of family things going on in the years that followed but we both got our feet under us by 2017 and started to plan hunting and fishing together and with our boys. He stopped by and got to meet my wife and boys last Thanksgiving and it was a really nice visit. I will sorely miss having him in Cody Wyoming, on the wilderness elk trip we planned to take in a few years. As a 40-year-old man, I still was nervous about not being bad-ass enough and had already thought about the conditioning I would do to be able to keep up with Mike. 

Mike was larger than life to me, and I think that sometimes larger-than-life people balance more than we realize. I will never forget Mike. He was the big kid that I looked up to, in awe, as an 11 year-old boy, and I will always look up to him. His memory will forever be with me in the woods, and I will keep his memory alive in stories I tell my boys as they begin to hunt. 

I love you man. 

Mike had a vigor and excitement for the job unmatched by many. Always eager to take on a project, Mike was a dedicated and determined investigator. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all of us who had the pleasure of working with him. Our prayers are with you Janine, Michael, Matthew and Avalyn. May you find comfort and peace in your memories and strength in eachother.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, 'my refuge and my strength, my God in whom I trust." (Psalm 91:1-2)

Mike will be missed - he was great to work with and he really cared about the job and service. I enjoyed working with him and am so sorry for this loss.

I can remember vividly sitting in the car, with so much excitement as we drive to the woods in New York, I could hardly contain myself. I was a young kid, going to see my brother Mike. I always have and will consider Mike as my brother. I knew I probably drove my parents NUTS because I would ask every 10 minutes if we were there yet.

When we finally made it I would blast from the car and right to Mike. For the entire time we were there Mike and I would hunt in the woods, catch crawfish, fish for creek chubs, scream “Aliens attacking” and drive everyone else crazy (Until Dean would yell downstairs “AT EASE” and we knew we didn’t want to press it any further. We played cops and robbers probably a MILLION times. We caught every fictional bad guy.
To us, it was the most amazing time ever!

Years later I found out Mike was coming to live with us for a while, I couldn’t believe it. My brother in the same house, couldn’t be better. During these times we got into even more hijinks. (I am 46 years old and statue of limitations is up on this mom so you can’t be mad) Mike and I decided at one point it would be a GREAT idea to take all the chemicals in our house and mix them together. We actually kept a book of what we mixed called it “Science, not about space, just stuff that may blow up in your face” So once we were done mixing Clorox, ammonia, janitor in the drum etc into a bucket we would dump it down our downstairs drain... Well this went on for a while, and one day Mike and I were getting off the bus and I saw a backhoe in my driveway.. and I’m like WE’RE getting a POOL! YES, que high fives.. Well nope, my mom explained that “something” had eating away our drainage pipe to the street and they had to dig up the yard and driveway to replace the entire drainage system. OOPS... Um it was Raychel’s idea.

I am older than Mike, but I looked up to him... He graduated early from HS to go to VMI. A Marine, wow! I was so proud to see him in his uniform.

As life goes, I moved across the country and physical distance was once again between mike and I, but our love for each other never faded.

It didn’t surprise me one bit that Mike and I both ended up in Public service careers. We spoke often about the good, and the bad, that has and was occurring in our careers and the Country we both love.

I will NEVER forget those times with Mike, you will eternally be my brother. I love you!!!!!

Rest brother, we will take it from here!