CW4 Alfred H. Baye September 1, 1922- February 24, 2024

Alfred Henry Baye , the son of Helena (Erdmann) and Sylvan Baye, was born in Philip, South Dakota on September 1, 1922. He lived on his parents homestead in Haakon County and later attended Phillip High School where he fell in love with Ida Eileen McDaniel.

He enlisted in the US Army in December 1940 and in 1942 Eileen joined him at Camp Crowder. They were married April 10, 1942. He served at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands during WWII and subsequently at Ft. Lee,VA; Sandia Base, NM; Killeen Base, TX; Seneca Army Depot , NY; Pirmasens, Germany; Joliet Arsenal, Il; Redstone Arsenal, AL and Naval Magazine, Guam.

Alfred was a member of the first military Nuclear Weapon Company of the 38th Engineer Battalion. He was a member of the team that tested, assembled and detonated nuclear devices on Eniwetoke Atoll. This was a test to confirm the competence of the military to assemble, test and maintain nuclear weapons. He was the last of the Sandia Pioneers.

He retired as a Warrant Officer W4 and made his home with Eileen in Albuquerque, NM. During his Army career he was awarded the Legion of Merit and Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the American Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. His greatest pride was that he served in the U.S. Army.

He completed his professional career as Senior Engineer for GTE Communication Systems in Albuquerque from 1971-1986.

After more than 60 years together his wife Eileen preceded him in death on October 6, 2005. Alfred married Doris Fulmer in 2006 and they also resided in Albuquerque until she passed in 2007.

Grateful for having shared his life are his children Patricia Kaveney and her husband Alan of Joliet, Illinois, David Baye and his wife Margriet of Woodland Park, Colorado, Kathleen McCrohan and her husband John of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Teresa Kelley and Michael Kimbro of Scotsdale, Arizona, eleven grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren. and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Charles Lee, his sisters Rosalie Keelin and Katherine Moss; and three brothers, Francis Baye, Edmund Baye and Joseph Baye.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.

A Christian Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 8, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip with Fr. Grant Gerlach and Fr. John Paul Trask as celebrants.

A Christian Funeral Committal with military honors will be held 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2024 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.