Carol was born on August 11, 1932, to Clarence and Beulah Edler in Plymouth, Wisconsin. Along with her
older brother Bill, Carol enjoyed a happy childhood and loving family. She graduated Valedictorian from
Plymouth High School in 1950 and then attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, majoring in
International Relations. Awarded Phi Beta Kappa in her junior year, she graduated in just three and one-
half years. Due to her academic excellence, she was offered four scholarships: Marshall, Fulbright,
Woodrow Wilson and Rotary. She chose the Marshall Scholarship, presented by England in gratitude for
the Marshall Plan aid. Carol was one of the twelve original recipients of this prestigious award and chose
to study at the London School of Economics for two years. As a result of her continued outstanding
academics, she was then offered a third year scholarship to complete her PhD, which she received in
1957.
Carol was a member of the University of Wisconsin’s Political Science Department, for four years at the
Madison campus, and for another 35 years in at the Milwaukee campus. She was also Chair of the
International Relations major for 17 years and Director of the Institute of World Affairs for 33 years.
In 1968, Carol was a Democratic candidate for the U. S. Congress. Although she did not win, she received
more votes than any previous democratic candidate in a highly Republican district.
In 1972, Carol achieved the rank of full Professor. During her tenure at UWM she was appointed by
United States Secretary of State Cyrus Vance to the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State. She
served in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research at the State Department in Washington, D.C., from
1979 to 1982. She then returned to her beloved UWM Milwaukee campus and retired in 1997, at which
point she was designated Professor Emerita in the Department of Political Science, and Director Emerita
for the Institute of World Affairs.
Her academic writings include four books (including a novel that was one of the first to address
diplomatic kidnappings as an example of international terrorism), two monographs, two contributing
chapters to other books, and numerous articles in newspapers and magazines. In her later years she
wrote fiction, and completed two unpublished novels as well as several published short stories. She also
hosted the television program International Focus for 15 years.
Dr. Baumann held memberships in eight professional organizations, including the prestigious Council on
Foreign Relations. Her more than 25 professional affiliations led to her being selected by various
governments (including Germany, Japan, Egypt, India, Saudi Arabia, Latin America, the Soviet Union and
the People’s Republic of China) and groups (such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the Army
War College) to participate in high-level conferences and international briefings. Her professional travels
allowed her to meet in person such notable figures as Deng Tsao Peng, Yassar Arafat, the Dalai Lama,
Prince Charles, former presidents Carter and Bush, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, as well as
many other politicians and diplomats. She was also a member of several national and international
councils, and was appointed by President Carter to serve on the President’s Commission on Foreign
Language and International Studies.
Even after retirement, Carol continued to serve on numerous committees and boards, including the
Wisconsin Governor’s Commission on the United Nations, the national Foreign Policy Association, the
UWM Institute of World Affairs, and the Wisconsin Eastern Shores Library System. She was listed in 27
volumes of Who’s Who as well as many other directories of individuals who have achieved excellence in
their career fields.
Carol leaves behind her husband Richard, daughters Dawn and Wendy, grandchildren Katarina, Anais,
Franz, Michael and Alyeska, and great-grandchildren Maddy and Taylor. She will be remembered for her
generosity and love of family, for her intellect and insights, for her clever sense of humor, and for the
way she so endearingly embraced life and all that it offers. We love and celebrate you, Carol Edler
Baumann! Thank you for all you did to enrich our lives and to make the world a better place.
A celebration of Carol’s life will be held on Sunday, November 14, 2021 at St. John Lutheran Church, 222
Stafford St. Plymouth, WI 53073. A time to gather with family and friends will take place at Church from
12:30PM until the time of service at 1:00PM. Rev. John Schultz will officiate, and the service will be live-
streamed and will be available to watch on the Suchon Funeral Home Facebook page
(https://www.facebook.com/SuchonFuneral). There will also be a time of fellowship with the family
following the service. Inurnment will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Plymouth.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Carol’s name.
The Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Plymouth is assisting the family. For online
condolences, please visit www.suchonfh.com.
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