Peace Corps volunteer continues legacy of service at 85
David Baur, one of the first Peace Corps volunteers deployed overseas, tutors fifth-graders and volunteers at food banks in Lansing, Michigan
LANSING, Mich. (Aging Untold) — David Baur is a tenor in the Delta Community Choir and folk dances every weekend. When he’s not dancing and singing, Baur is busy volunteering.
Baur joined the first group of U.S. Peace Corps volunteers to be deployed overseas. He worked in libraries and public schools in West Africa for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer. He also taught English to students in Southeast Asia every evening and on weekends.
That was 60 years ago.
The 85-year-old now volunteers in math class at Cumberland Elementary School.
“I go to the Cumberland School every day to be with the fifth-graders. They invigorate me,” Baur said.
Helping students one problem at a time
Baur volunteers in a fifth-grade math class, where he gets to know each student personally.
“Sometimes when I don’t understand stuff, like I understand it, but sometimes I don’t and forget this stuff, he always comes in,” Latifa Alaseeri said.
Baur said the satisfaction comes from knowing that each student did a little bit better than they did the day before.
Recognition for decades of service
From helping students with math to organizing the Greater Lansing Food Bank’s mobile food pantry, Baur’s wide-ranging community service has been recognized.
He received the Older Adult Volunteer of the Year award from the governor for his decades of giving back and lifelong service to the community.
The recognition goes hand in hand with his lifelong philosophy of staying positive and enjoying every minute of the day. Baur looks for ways to get out of the house and help other people.
“I just discovered that helping other people was very enjoyable, and I could make a difference,” Baur said.
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