Jack Baldschun

Jack Baldschun, 86, Green Bay, passed away Tuesday morning, June 6, 2023, at a local hospital after a lengthy battle with leukemia and other complications.

Born October 16, 1936, in Greenville, Ohio, he is the son of the late Henry and Regina (Kruckeberg) Baldschun.
In 1955, at the age of 18, Jack was signed to play professional baseball for the Nashville Vols, a minor league club with the Cincinnati Reds organization.  After spending the following year in Thibodaux, LA, in 1957 he played for the Wausau Lumberjacks in Wausau, WI, and there he met his future wife, Charlotte Kolbe.  After dating during that season, Charlotte traveled to Florida the following year to be with Jack at spring training.  The couple eloped on their way back north and were married in Savannah, GA on April 10, 1958.  Two years later, in May of 1960, they had their first child, a daughter, Kim, who was born in Colombia, SC.  After the 1960 season, Jack was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies organization, and they brought him up to the major leagues to be their closing relief pitcher.  He made his MLB debut on April 28, 1961, for the Phillies.  In November of 1965 they had their second child, a son, Brad, who was born in the Philadelphia area.  In December of that same year, Jack went back to the Red’s organization when he was part of what many have called the “worst trade in baseball history”.  Jack, Milt Pappas, and Dick Simpson were traded to the Reds for Frank Robinson, and while their careers all declined in the years to come, Robinson went on to win the Triple Crown.  After injuring his arm in 1967, he was sent down to the minors to recuperate.  He was eventually traded to the Oakland Athletics for the 1969 season, but on the final day of spring training he was traded again, to the new expansion team…the San Diego Padres.  His arm was never the same and he eventually retired after the 1970 season.  His claim to fame during his major league career was his screwball, which many batters claimed was “unhittable”.  Among his accomplishments he was in the top 10 in games pitched for 5 seasons, including the record in 1961, as well as being in the top 10 for saves in 3 of his seasons.

After retiring from baseball, Jack and his family moved to Charlotte’s home state of Wisconsin and settled in Green Bay where he joined his brother-in-law, Charles Kolbe, in the construction business.  Three years later he became a salesman for Lumber Dealers Supply, where he worked for over 25 years before retiring in 1998.  Jack and Char enjoyed traveling the country, golfing, and “snow-birding” in Florida until Char passed away in 2010.  Then, during grief counseling, Jack met Bonnie VandenBergh-Lokken, who had also just lost her spouse, and he had found the person who he would write the next chapter of his life with.  They dated and eventually were married on October 17, 2015.  For the rest of his life, he and Bonnie continued to travel, golf, garden, and “snowbird” in Bradenton, FL each winter.  In his final years his health began to decline, and Bonnie was at his side for every moment as a constant caregiver, companion, and loving wife.

Jack will be remembered for his story telling, cooking, piano playing, jokes, being the “life of the party” and calling everyone a “turkey” at least once.  He will also be remembered as a great coach, mentor, gardener, husband, father, and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; daughter, Kim Baldschun, Allouez; Son, Brad (Julie) Baldschun, Cape Coral, FL; two grandsons, Alex (Abby) Baldschun, Green Bay and Nick Baldschun, Fort Meade, MD; five nieces, Jackie, Julie, Jennifer, Kim, and Pam.

Also preceded in death by his brother, Robert Baldschun; his first wife, Charlotte Baldschun; and niece, Jill.

Visitation at Malcore Funeral Home, 701 N. Baird St. Monday, June 12th, from 4 PM until 8 PM.  Visitation will continue Tuesday at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 120 S. Henry St, from 9 AM until the time of the funeral service at 11 AM.  Burial at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Jack’s family extends a very special thank you to the nursing staff of Aurora BayCare Medical Center’s 4th floor, the entire staff and volunteers of the Vince Lombardi Cancer and all of the wonderful doctors involved in caring for Jack and his family.