Celebration of former county commissioner's life was Saturday

A celebration of life was Saturday for former Douglas County Commissioner Jim Baushke at St. Gall Catholic Church in Gardnerville.

A U.S. Air Force veteran, Baushke never faced an opponent in an election. He was appointed by Gov. Kenny Guinn in January 2004 and unopposed for the office six months later, serving one term.

Baushke succumbed Feb. 15 from complications related to a handful of cancers he fought over the previous 15 years.

Baushke discussed his diagnosis with Hodgkins lymphoma with The Record-Courier in a story published March 28, 2007.

Born Aug. 19, 1939, in Benton Harbor, Mich., he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a masters of science.

Commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force ROTC in 1961, he served for 25 years in the Air Force Civil Engineering and Systems Acquisition with tours of duty in Vietnam, Korea, the Pentagon, and Germany before retiring with the rank of colonel.

He was one of the youngest recipients of the Newman Medal awarded by the society of American Military Engineers.

Among his decorations are the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Republic of Korea Defense Commendation Medal.

After retiring from active duty, James worked for Jacob’s Engineering in Pasadena, Calif. and Claremont College’s Physical Plant Department in Claremont, Calif.

Baushke and wife, Donna, moved to Gardnerville in May 2000 where they joined the St. Gall Catholic Parish. Baushke was a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus.

During his tenure on the board of commissioners, he served as president of the Nevada Association of Counties in 2007, in addition to the Carson Water Subconservancy.

He was a member of the Douglas County Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol at Minden-Tahoe Airport. He had held positions of commander, mission pilot, aircrew training officer, and personnel officer. He was a private pilot with instrument rating and accumulated more than 2,300 hours of flying time.