Louie Francis Baumeister, president of California Sports and a 35-year Malibu resident, died Feb. 14 after a six-year battle with cancer. He was 76 years old.
Baumeister was born Aug. 17, 1935 in Kellogg, Idaho. After graduating from Kellogg High School in 1953 he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Seattle University in 1957 and a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University in 1958.
Baumeister became a partner in Mariani-Buss Associates in 1960. In 1979, Jerry Buss purchased the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Kings and the L.A. Forum. Baumeister then became the head of operations for the teams and the facility for California Sports, Inc., the company that owns and operates the Lakers, the Kings and the Forum.
“The Lakers lost an important member of their family with the passing of Louis Baumeister,” the team said in a statement.
Baumeister is survived by his wife of 42 years Marilyn; his children Tony of Silver Lake, Monica Lokkesmoe of New York City and twins Annie of Redondo Beach and Danny of Brentwood; as well as his sister Maria.
Memorial services took place at Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church on Feb. 18.