Richard Baum
June 4, 1999
We all lost a friend shortly after the American Boxer Club Specialty. Richard Baum crossed over the Bridge after a courageous three year fight. When I say we, I mean not only that I lost a long-time personal friend, but that all Boxers and Boxer people lost an effective and talented friend, who always did his best to promote our breed. In the true sense of a top handler, Dick showed to win, and win he did, taking many top Boxers to BIS wins. My two favorites and I believe his as well, were Ch. Nadora’s Black Lace and Ch. Wagner’s Wilverday Famous Amos.
I first met Dick in 1968 when I judged the Colorado Specialty. In those days, handlers could judge specialties. He didn’t win anything, however I asked who he was and was introduced to him. It was obvious he had a talent for showing Boxers. Years later, he moved to Ohio and we became competitors. He was always to be reckoned with in the ring as he could make a Boxer look even better that it was.
We talked a number of times during his illness and he was always upbeat and battling his problem. His greatest joy, after his family, was going to dog shows. This January in Florida, he told me he could no longer show the dogs. At this year’s ABC, he was still upbeat, even though he was in a wheelchair on oxygen. He presented the rosettes to the Top Twenty dogs and was hugged and kissed by all of the handlers and enjoyed the whole affair. I am sure he was thrilled to see his daughter Kay handle the BOB dog at this year’s ABC. Dick has left behind some very talented family members who are top notch handlers. He has taught them well and Boxers will have some of his talent on loan for many years to come. The Michigan Boxer Club fondly dedicates this show to a dear friend, Richard Baum.
John Connolly
President, Michigan Boxer Club