On May 23, 2022 Eric Baunach passed away unexpectedly in Moscow, ID. He was 75 years old.
Eric Sebastian Baunach was born on January 14, 1947 in Werbach, Germany. He graduated from Sandy Union High School in 1965 and went on to attend one semester at Bethany Bible College in Santa Cruz County, CA before being drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War in 1966. He went to basic training in Fort Lewis, Washington and then to Fort Sam Houston, in San Antonio, Texas serving as a medic. He also served in the Oregon National Guard for 12 years.
Eric married his high school sweetheart, Pearl Walker, on June 17, 1967. Together they had two children, Kate in 1968 and Phil in 1973. Eric worked in the timber industry and owned his own construction company. Later he returned to school to earn a B.A. in Anthropology at Eastern Oregon University in 1987. He worked as an archeologist across Oregon and Arizona and did construction until health issues forced him into retirement. Eric loved his family, his dogs, fishing, hunting and the outdoors. He served in the Union County Search & Rescue for several years, was a ham radio operator, and a member of the American Legion.
Eric is survived by his wife, Linda Baunach of Troy, Idaho; his daughter, Kate Kopaczewski (Shawn) Hermiston, OR; and son, Phil Baunach (Jessica) Moscow, ID; siblings Erika Hinkel (Marlow, OK); grandchildren: Skyler Pierson, (Brooke) Moscow, ID; Callen Pierson (Cheyanne) Umatilla, OR; McKayla Burke (Patrick) Genesee, ID; Karl Baunach (Kiri) Colville, WA; Paige Baunach, Moscow, ID; Elizabeth Verwey (Micah) Yakima, WA; Isabelle Baunach, Moscow, ID; great grandchildren: Ireland Burke, Eleanor Pierson, Violet Burke, Alivia Pierson, Atticus Foley, Isaiah Verwey and Naomi Alldredge. Step children Crystal Watson, Connell, WA; Matthew Bobb, Idaho, Lance Bobb, Idaho, Nieces: Thea Bewley, Duncan, OK, Suzy Tran (Hung) Klamath Falls, OR and nephews; Jack Hinkel, Marlow, OK, Conrad Hinkel (Ann) Holland, TX and William Hinkel also of Klamath Falls, OR.
He was preceded in death by his parents Karl and Theresia Baunach, and brother in law Jay Hinkel.
Viewing will be held from noon - 6 p.m. onWednesday, June 1, 2022 at Short’s Funeral Chapel
A memorial service for Eric is scheduled for Thursday, June 2, 2022, at Trinity Baptist Church in Moscow, Idaho. He will be interred in Lake Havasu City, Arizona close to his parents. In lieu of flowers, donations to help cover funeral expenses may be made in Eric’s name at Potlatch Federal Credit Union and condolences can be sent to 33820 E Progress Rd, Hermiston, OR 97838.
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