Donald Baumgartner is a businessman, philanthropist and bon vivant -- a man with a generous spirit and unbridled passion for adventure.

Donald Baumgartner is known as a man who takes a big bite out of life. He crossed the Atlantic in a 58-foot yacht through two gale-force storms. Accepted a business award from President Ronald Reagan in the White House Rose Garden. Oversaw the construction of a world-class art museum. Shed tears during an opera at Italy’s Arena di Verona. Set foot on all seven continents. Built his family business into a global leader and left $100 million on the table when he turned it over to his employees.

Industrialist. Philanthropist. In whatever role he takes, he aims high, satisfied only with the best.

As depicted in this biography by author Kurt Chandler, Donald Baumgartner has led a charmed life of adventure, success and generosity.

Donald made national headlines in 2016 when he handed over the ownership of his Milwaukee manufacturing company to his employees. He continues to give back to his community as one of his hometown’s most charitable patrons of the arts. 

Impassioned, lionhearted, he works hard and lives large, endowed with an optimistic nature, sense of humor and measure of good luck. As a friend puts it, “Knowing Donald Baumgartner is appreciating the details of his character—his hospitality, his humor, his enthusiasm, and an ever-present glow that always seems to say, ‘I'm having a blast with my life.’”

Kurt Chandler has worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine writer, editor and author. An award-winning writer, he has authored, coauthored, or edited 12 books, many of them biographies. The former editor of Milwaukee Magazine, he lives with his wife in the Milwaukee area. 

Chandler has also been published in a number of metro newspapers and magazines, from The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle and Minneapolis Star Tribune, to Marie Claire, The Writer, Salon.com and TheAtlantic.com.