Duane H. Baumgarner

Duane H. Baumgarner, 73, of Skinner Creek Rd., Port Allegany, PA passed away Saturday, April 27, 2024, in his home, surrounded by his family.

     Born June 28, 1950, in Coudersport, he was a son of David C. and Ava D. Lucas Baumgarner.  On Oct. 2, 1968, in Rochester, NY, he married Rebecca J. VanSickle, who survives. They were married 55 years.

    Duane was a lifetime resident of the area and a graduate of Port Allegany High School, class of 1968, and later from the Dubois Business College.

    Duane worked in Port Allegany at the Port Allegany Community Hospital from 1975 to 1983 as controller. In 1983 he was vice president of PA Hospital Systems where he was responsible for developing computerized hospital financial systems. He was a member of the PAHS School Board in the 80s until his move to S. Carolina where he took a position as Financial Coordinator at Baptist Medical Center, a 350 bed Hospital in the capitol city of Columbia. He worked there from 1987 to 1998 while also running his own company Provision Healthcare Systems, where he designed and programmed SBS physician billing and collection system. From 1998 until 2002 he owned Reimbursement Software Systems Inc and worked with American Claims Expeditors as a Medicare reimbursement consultant.

     He was a member of the Free Methodist Church of Port Allegany, where he always taught Sunday school. He was passionate about his faith and loved his Lord. He enjoyed witnessing and scientific/theological debating. 

    Music was an important part of his life where he enjoyed playing drums in a band, The Changing Times, the trombone, trumpet, and the harmonica. He loved his family above all else and was a devoted husband arguably the best father and friend ever.

      Surviving in addition to his wife Rebecca “Becky”, is a daughter, Melissa R. (Patrick) Stier of Columbia, SC; three sons, David J. (Margaret) Baumgarner of Wood Stock, Canada, Richard S. (Krista) Baumgarner and Ryan M. Baumgarner both of Port Allegany; seven grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter; two sisters, Connie (Robert) Curtis of Falston, MD, Cheryl (Thomas) Kilburn of Rochester, NY; and several nieces and nephews. 

    He was preceded in death by his parents.

    Friends are invited to attend a memorial service Wednesday (May 1, 2024) at 2 p.m. in the Frist Presbyterian Church, Port Allegany, with Rev. Thomas Kilburn, officiating.

    Memorials can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

    Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Switzer Funeral Home, Port Allegany.

    Condolences can be made to:  Rebecca Baumgarner, 534 Skinner Creek Rd., Port Allegany, PA 16743.