In Memoriam: James Lowell Baustert

James Lowell Baustert

James Lowell Baustert, 95, passed peacefully on January 24, 2025 in Barrington Illinois. Jim was born on May 22, 1929 in Elgin Illinois, the son of Burton Bernard Baustert, Sr. and Pearl Margaret Goode Baustert.

He was survived by his wife, Theo, his children Julie, Jeff and Tim, and 12 grandchildren. He was predeceased in death by his parents, his brother Burton and one grandchild.

He was a lifelong learner. After graduating from Elgin High School he attended art schools in Chicago and Florida before starting work in Chicago area advertising. While working in Minnesota in the 1970s he went back to school to attain a bachelors degree from Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis. In retirement he earned a masters degree in Creative Writing from the University of Alaska Anchorage. He was a longtime MENSA member. He loved fishing, reading and the shared enjoyment of watching lots of college and pro football with his wife.

Jim and Theo were married on April 28, 1957 in Elgin and began their family there. They moved to the Minneapolis, MN suburbs in 1969 where, for many years, Jim was involved in numerous medical technology companies as well as consulting with small businesses, often start ups, in the area. They spent over 50 years in the Twin Cities area. In 2022 they moved closer to family, back to the suburban Chicago area.

Jim and Theo were married for more than 67 years. They were a couple in the true sense of the word-it was hard to think of one without thinking of the other. Later in life they spent winters in Arizona, loved to travel and did philanthropic work. They lived a quiet life but impacted people who needed help through philanthropic giving. They prioritized and supported medical care for those who couldn't afford it, gave to under-funded social service organizations and endowed higher education tuition.