John Christoper (Chris) Baum (1962-2022)
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“I was enticed to move to Chicago as an actor in 1994. We have the greatest theater city in the USA.”
– Chris Baum John Christopher Baum, 59, passed away November 4, 2022, in Florida where he had been living for the previous three years. Chris' higher education included a BFA in Theater from The Ohio State University, dedicating his life to Performance Theatre as a professional actor/singer/mentor in musical roles beginning with the Ohio State Theatre Department. He went on to perform a variety of roles for highly coveted Operas and Light Operas (Gilbert & Sullivan) with the Columbus Light Opera Company and Opera Columbus for over a decade. Chris also traveled around the country to perform signature operatic roles and settled in Chicago in 1994 to continue his performance career. High notes of Chris’ time in Chicago were “Call Me Madam”, for Porchlight Theatre’s Revisits program, and “Pirates of Penzance” with Light Opera Works. Later in his career, Chris held high profile positions in the travel industry as an award winning Chicago City Tour Guide and Concierge at The Langham; a luxury hotel in Chicago. Chris earned the highest award in the hotel industry, called the Society of the Golden Keys from Les Clefs d’Or USA. Known to his thousands of friends and colleagues as a kind, humble man, he made everyone laugh and was a bright light and shining star. Chris was born December 19, 1962, in Columbus OH. Chris’ hometown was Mount Sterling OH, and he graduated from Madison Plains High School. Chris is survived by his sister, Teresa Baum (Farrow), and brother-in-law, Howard Farrow. He is preceded in death by his parents, John L Baum and Barbara L Baum (Garver); maternal grandparents; paternal grandparents; as well as, aunts and uncles. Celebration of Life Services were held in Chicago and Columbus, Ohio. Chris’ ashes will be spread in Chicago, Florida and his hometown of Mount Sterling OH. His final resting place will be in Mount Sterling beside his father. In Memoriam, an Ohio State University theater scholarship fund will be set up in the name of J. Chris Baum. If you would like to contribute to this fund, contact jchrisbaum.OSU.scholarship@gmail.com for more information. |