Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 26, 1993 TAG: 9308260415
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Undoubtedly, there are many Roanoke Valley residents in their 80s - and beyond - who have retained a sharp wit and keen perception. There are few, however, who have never chosen to embrace the steering wheel of an automobile and whose daily exercise regimen consists of walking the neighbor's dog several miles.
And the number of well-conditioned, animal-loving octogenarians who have retired to Roanoke from New York City, have inspired the neighborhood with their kindness and discipline and have become folk heroes of a sort is positively meager.
But the residents of Edgehill in South Roanoke recognize these exceptional qualities in Baumgardner, who lives across Franklin Road in the South Roanoke Apartments - on the top floor, of course.
Eleven Edgehill residents wrote to this newspaper suggesting an article on Baumgardner, "one of the most gentle, interesting and delightful gentlemen" they've known.
"He is greatly admired by all who know him, and it would give pleasure to him and others if you would include an article on him as an example of living life to the fullest."
Baumgardner turned 85 on Valentine's Day. "That's 85 and six months," he says, smiling. "I call it 86."
Every morning, regardless of the weather, Baumgardner rises early and walks through Townside Plaza, across Franklin Road and climbs the twisting lanes of Edgehill. At many houses, he stops to place the newspaper on the porch.
Sometimes, he visits the sick. But unfailingly, he picks up Waif, an aging border collie, and takes him for a lengthy stroll.
For many years, Baumgardner took Waif back to his apartment to visit, to share a snack and perhaps a nap and then walked him back home in the afternoon. Recently, the schedule has been modified.
"Waif's 16 now," Baumgardner said. "He can't handle those apartment steps anymore." Baumgardner has been walking Waif since he was a puppy and attributes Waif's long life to exercise, diet and good care.
"Lacy's a marvelous neighbor," says Sam Wilson, Waif's master. Wilson and his wife, Penny, once lived in the South Roanoke Apartments and have known Baumgardner since 1976. "He's had a key to our house almost since we've been married," Penny Wilson says.
"Lacy was there for the birth of both of our daughters," Sam Wilson says. "He's become part of our family."
"Lacy's remarkable," echoes another neighbor, Ross Jeffries. "We're continually awed by his persistence, and we're awfully glad he selected our neighborhood to make friends."
"I'm astounded by his strength and energy," Myrtle Dudley adds.
"So many people these days, 50 years old, can't put one foot in front of the other or don't have the desire to," Martha Peterson says.
"Lacy's a good role model for a lot of people."
Like basketball star Charles Barkley, Baumgardner doesn't get too caught up in this role-model stuff. He sees himself simply as an old man who loves life and enjoys people.
"Every lifestyle has its own compensations," he philosophizes. "I wouldn't trade mine for yours, and you wouldn't trade yours for mine."
A native of Rural Retreat, Lacy struck out for New York "the Sunday after Easter" in 1930, months into the Great Depression. In November of that year, he landed full-time work with the Bank of Savings in New York City.
Forty years later, he retired from the bank with the title of assistant vice president. "When I retired, I supervised 50 people. Most of them were women who hated each other," Lacy jokes. "I was boss, arbitrator and father confessor."
Lacy has remained a life-long bachelor. "I've dated some beautiful girls [including current lady friend, Marion Chase, whom he has known since 1930], but there have been a lot of unhappy marriages in my family. I never wanted to get into that.
"Plus being single, I could close my door whenever I wanted; I could go anywhere at any time."
During his New York career, Lacy cultivated an active interest in walking. He also acquired a taste for Broadway. For a time, he dated Joan Whitney, a Broadway performer and lyricist.
In 1973, three years into retirement, Lacy chose to move to Roanoke. "I had a brother, a sister, [both since deceased] and nieces and nephews here, and it seemed to be the logical place for me to spend the rest of my days."
He has lived in the same apartment ever since and has come to fully appreciate Roanoke. He even convinced Chase, who was living in Massachusetts, to join him in the valley.
He and Chase remain ardent supporters of the arts, attending Mill Mountain Theatre regularly and taking in an occasional movie "whenever something interests me."
"The last movie I went to see was `Jurassic Park.' I'm not really a devotee of science fiction, but I just don't know how they made that movie!"
Baumgardner is an active member of First Baptist Church, and for many years made his way to services on foot.
"My family was Presbyterian since Adam and Eve," he says. "But I heard Dr. [Charles] Fuller [senior minister at First Baptist] preach once, visited the church for three years, and finally decided to join.
"I'd just seen the movie `Jaws' when I was to be baptized, so I told Dr. Fuller I hoped there weren't any sharks in the water. I think he got a kick out of that."
Baumgardner sings in a senior citizen church choir. "I have a big interest in music - no talent whatsoever, but a big interest."
Marion Chase is two months older than Lacy and still works 20 hours a week for the League of Older Americans. She attributes their longevity to keeping busy.
"I'm tired of people in my age group talking so much about their ailments," Chase says. "You're bound to have physical problems with age, but you make yourself worse by concentrating on them."
Baumgardner agrees. He also subscribes to plenty of sleep each night, a healthy diet and - of course - exercise.
"I'm not a diet crackpot. I eat whatever's served whenever I'm out. But at home I'm quite content with fruits, vegetables and cereal."
Two things of immediate concern to Baumgardner are the age of Waif - "the dog of my life" - and the fact that the Wilsons are moving four or five miles to another home in South Roanoke.
Sam Wilson, a federal judge by trade, is aware of Baumgardner's concern. He says justice will be done.
"We're going to have to figure out some sort of shuttle diplomacy," Wilson says.
by CNB