Ed Baumgartner was a Prisoner of war in World War two. There was a nice write-up in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review - http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/obituaries/news/s_708135.html

Ed Baumgartner used his skills as a driver and auto mechanic on the battlefields of Europe during World War II and as a volunteer for St. Augustine Church's Meals on Wheels in civilian life.

"My uncle was captured by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge," said his niece, Kathleen Doerfler Holt.

"The German soldiers took his boots and his uniform. But he managed to escape and, without his boots, he walked 25 miles in the ice and snow to the American lines.

"As soon as he was able, he returned to the fighting, and they had him driving ammunition trucks to supply the troops on the front lines," said Mrs. Holt, a resident of Foster City, Calif. "And that is one of the reasons he never missed making a Meals on Wheels delivery during the worst days of winter for over 19 years."

Edward Albert Baumgartner of Lawrenceville, formerly of Troy Hill, a retired city of Pittsburgh auto mechanic, died Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010 in his home. He was 91.

Born and raised in Troy Hill, Ed Baumgartner was one of eight children in the family of musician John Baumgartner and his wife, Johanna Pesek Baumgartner, who emigrated from Czechoslovakia.

"My uncle's father, John, was a musician in Kaiser Wilhelm's Army during World War I," said his niece.

Mr. Baumgartner attended Washington Vocational High School in Lawrenceville. Prior to entering the Army in 1943, he was employed as a mechanic in a Chevrolet dealership.

Prior to being shipped to Europe, Edward Baumgartner married Kathryn Meenan, a resident of Lawrenceville, whom he met on a blind date.

In 1945, after his discharge, Mr. Baumgartner began his 29-year career with the city of Pittsburgh.

"My uncle was a kind man, who could be a lot of fun," said Holt, who was raised by her aunt and uncle. "He loved to sing and enjoyed having friends drop into his cottage in Conneaut.

"He was also respected as a man who was always willing to go out of his way to help his neighbors," his niece added. "If an elderly neighbor needed work done in their home, he'd help.

"And he was always willing to fix a car for any member of the family or for his many friends."

In addition to his niece, Kathleen Holt, Mr. Baumgartner is survived by Mrs. Holt's children all of California, Allison of Burlingame, Jennifer of Santa Cruz, Elliot of Foster City and Cliff Holt of San Mateo.

He is also survived by a niece, Dorothy Regan of Lawrenceville, a nephew, Fred Weis Jr. of Reserve and Mr. Baumgartner's companion, Rose Mahon of Bloomfield.

Mr. Baumgartner was preceded by his wife, Kathryn Meenan Baumgartner in 1992, and his siblings, Barbara Winters, Mary Weis, Frank, Andy, Joseph, John and Helen Baumgartner.