G. Kenneth Baum died at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. on Nov. 9 from age-related health complications. He was 91. His family was at his side and many others shared love and support by phone. Favorite classical pieces and songs from The Fiddler on the Roof were playing in the background.

Kenny was born July 6, 1930 in Kansas City, Mo. to George Kohler and Ruth Goodman Baum. He enjoyed a remarkable lifelong friendship with his older sister, Elaine. The good will and support between them was enviable. Over the decades, they came together for casual dinners, community events and travels around the globe.

He attended Bryant Elementary and Southwest High School and graduated from Pembroke-Country Day in 1948. He studied history at Carleton College, graduated in 1952, and remained a supporter of the school.

In 1960, he married Jean Berkley and they had three children: Jonathan, George and Jessica. They divorced in 1988.

Immediately after college graduation, he began his professional career at George K. Baum & Company, a regional firm focused on the underwriting and sale of municipal bonds. He succeeded his father, who founded the business. He took tremendous pride in the work of municipal finance, raising capital for cities, states, hospitals, school districts and related entities.

In 1994, he sold the business to his son Jon, and continued in an advisory role as the business expanded.

In 2002, he married the love of his life, Ann Kaufmann. Their love of the arts, music, travel and family fostered a deep admiration for each other. They gave back to the Kansas City community by serving on numerous boards. Through philanthropy, they focused on education, inequality, culture, environment, conservation and improving quality of life in Kansas City.

He believed in encouraging and supporting family and friends, contributing to meaningful projects and trying to leave the world a better place. His positive attitude and belief that hard work and perseverance will result in success inspired those around him to do their best.

Kenny loved talking to people and learning about them. He biked across Martha’s Vineyard in the summer, traveled to New York city to see the Metropolitan Opera in the fall and encouraged everyone to enjoy ice cream in all seasons. He relaxed by reading nonfiction or watching a favorite film on the Turner Movie Channel.

He will be remembered for his dedication to preserving the natural world. He was proud to be a founding member of the Kansas chapter of The Nature Conservancy’s board of trustees. His children and grandchildren will remember him crossing fields with a walking stick in hand, making note of the blue herons landing on their nests, or pointing out coyote tracks at the creekside.

Kenny enthusiastically raised money for community projects. At the time of his death, he was a member of numerous boards, including Blue River Land Trust; and had previously served on many others such as the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Jewish Heritage Foundation. He served as a trustee of the George K. Baum Family Foundation and the G. Kenneth Baum and Ann Baum Philanthropic Fund.

Kenny loved helping organizations and individuals think through problems and develop strategies to solve them. He was a board member of American City Business Journals, Inc., H&R Block, Inc., Interstate Bakeries Corp., Kansas City Public Service Co., and others.

He was predeceased by his parents, George and Ruth; his son, George Kohler; and his sister, Elaine Ryder.

He is survived by his loving wife, Ann; his children, Jon and his wife Sarah and their children Brian, Carter, Mark and Meredith, and Jessica Pasmore and her husband Chris and their children Catherine and Will. He is also survived by Ann’s daughters, Rachel Loeb and her husband Zach Block and their children, Solomon and Walter, and Emily Loeb and her husband Lee Hammons, and their children, Hannah and Samuel.

A celebration of Kenny’s life was held on Nov. 17 at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

Donations can be made to the Kansas Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, the Kansas City Symphony, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art or The New Reform Temple.