Roll Call Tribute

Published in (San Antonio) Express-News on June 8, 2014

Spencer "Rainbow" BaenBAEN
The Family of "Rainbow" Baen is sharing the news of his passing at his home in San Antonio. Holding hands with his sons John, Peter, and Paul, his earthly life of significant successes came quietly to an end.
Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, he attended Texas A&M, graduating in 1943. Upon graduation he was commissioned as an officer in the US Army and married Joyce Kirkland, also of San Antonio. During his distinguished military career, he received Masters and Doctoral degrees from Cal Tech, and was twice awarded The Legion of Merit.
"Rainbow" and his wife Joyce retired to Bryan, Texas in 1970 where he began his second career as an administrator at his alma mater, Texas A&M University. After an extended illness and hospitalization, Joyce passed away in 1982.
In 1984 he married Pat Castillon of Fort Worth, Texas, who relocated to Bryan. Together they would volunteer their time and talent at St. Andrew's church in Bryan and other many worthy projects and organizations. They enjoyed extensive travel and hosting friends for Texas A&M football games.
In August 2002, "Grandmother Pat" died in her sleep and in 2005 Rainbow moved back to San Antonio, Texas to live at the Air Force Village. When returning through the gates of AFV-II he would always comment: "It's great to be home!"
He is survived by his eldest son John Spencer Baen and his wife Jamie of Argyle, Texas, son Peter Roe Baen and his wife Dee Dee of San Marcos, Texas, son S. Paul Baen of Ingleside, Texas, step-daughter Karen Castillon Burpo and her husband Chris Burpo of Alpharetta, Georgia, and numerous loving and caring grandchildren and great-grandchildren living throughout Texas. He was predeceased by his wives Joyce Kirkland Baen and Pat Castillon Baen, and daughter Rosemary Kay Baen Brooks, of Dripping Springs, Texas.
A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 AM on Friday, July 18, 2014 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in San Antonio, Texas. Following the service, a reception will continue at the Air Force Village II "Vista".
In lieu of flowers, the Family asks that donations be considered in the honor of Spencer Roe Baen to
.St. Andrews Episcopal Church of Bryan, TX ; 217 W. 26th St., Bryan, TX 77803;
.The Texas A&M Foundation, 401 GEORGE BUSH DR. College Station, TX 77840;
.Air Force Villages Widows Fund, 5100 John D. Ryan Blvd. San Antonio, TX 78245
.or other church/school of preference.
Those that know there is a God, or better still, know God personally, can always bask in his Love. As often demonstrated by Spencer "Rainbow" Baen, we can be Blessed by and/or Bless others by the Light that comes from a childlike faith in God.
For personal acknowledgements, you may sign the online guestbook at www.missionparks.com in the obituary section.
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Baen taught, did research in Army career
By Jennifer A. Luna, San Antonio Express-News
Updated 7:53 pm, Monday, June 30, 2014

SAN ANTONIO — Growing up during the Great Depression, Spencer Roe “Rainbow” Baen learned how to save and live off of little resources, which in turn gave him an appreciation for education.

The San Antonio native, described by his family as a loving, brilliant and caring person, would spend most of his life as either a student or an educator.

Baen died May 30. He was 93.

A 1939 Jefferson High School graduate, Baen went on to attend Texas A&M University in College Station. Upon graduating in 1943 with a bachelor's degree in engineering, he was commissioned into the Army as a second lieutenant.

Amid embarking on what would become a 27-year military career, he began dating his first wife, Joyce Kirkland. The two knew each other in high school and were reacquainted in college. They married in the summer of 1944 and started a family the next year. They were married for 38 years.

Oldest son Peter Baen recalled his family traveling about 25 times during his father's career, and he remembered his parents' encouragement to expand their children's horizons.
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More Information

Spencer Roe 'Rainbow' Baen

Born: March 20, 1921

Died: May 30, 2014

Survived by: Sons John Spencer Baen, Peter Roe Baen and S. Paul Baen

Military: Twenty-seven years in the Army, retired as a colonel

Services: Memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. July 18 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 315 E. Pecan. A reception will follow at the Air Force Village II, 5100 John D. Ryan Blvd.
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“There are four words that still burn in my mind: 'Soak up the culture,'” he said.

In the Army, Spencer Baen earned a master's degree in electrical engineering and doctorates in mechanical engineering and electrical engineering from the California Institute of Technology.

He studied aerospace and rocket sciences, researched new technology and was a research instructor for the Army War College. Aside from being an instructor and researcher, Baen also worked in the Office of Research and Development at the Pentagon.

After retiring as a colonel in 1970, Baen and his wife retired in Bryan. Not far away from College Station, he began a second career as director for energy and mineral resources for the Texas Engineering Experiment Station at Texas A&M.

Baen's wife died in 1982 from heart problems. In 1984, he married Pat Castillon, whom he met through a friend. The two traveled around the world, and after 18 years of marriage, Castillon died in her sleep from a pulmonary embolism.

After residing in Bryan for a few more years, Baen decided to return to San Antonio for the final years of his life.

Although he was a busy man throughout his two careers, he always made time for family, Peter Baen said.

“He taught us to be an engaged and involved father to our own children,” he said.

jluna@express-news.net