Carl Baldus, the former farmer turned real estate magnate who used his wealth to benefit so many charity organizations in Charles County, died March 26 at age 83.

Baldus, a licensed realtor since 1960, worked in the business with his wife Bobbie. Baldus celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010.

”Wherever Bobbie was, Carl was,” said Evelyn Hungerford of Hungerford Associates, a longtime friend. “They were very giving people all of the time. They were always giving to worthy causes. I think in addition to his very successful business, Carl’s charity efforts in Southern Maryland will always be remembered.”

The couple was married for almost 60 years. They met as children and both graduated from Sacred Heart School in La Plata, and started their business in the bedroom of their La Plata home. They relocated to their office on Charles Street in La Plata in the 1960s and in 1971 relocated to the building at the intersection of Route 6 and Route 301 in La Plata, until the 2002 tornado that demolished their office.

“Bobbie was almost killed when the tornado hit,” said Hungerford. “She was trapped in the building for a while.”

The business rose from the ashes, so to speak, and built a beautiful new building on the same location which houses their real estate business and several offices.

Longtime friend Bob Wilson said he and his wife Linda were friends of Carl and Bobbie for 40 years.

“We were friends through the years,” Wilson stated. “In fact, we were just together a week ago Sunday and all of us went to Sandy Springs. They were here New Year’s Eve. We had a small party and they came.”

Among the developments Baldus Realty can tout: Newtown Estates, the Mariellen subdivision in La Plata, Chapel Point Woods, Camelot in Pomfret and Smallwood Estates in Ironsides. Baldus also played significant roles in the construction of the Charles County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in La Plata and the former Holiday Inn and industrial park on Pika Drive in Waldorf.

Visitation will be held at Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, 211 St. Mary’s Ave., La Plata today from 1:30-5:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place March 29 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, La Plata. A graveside service will be held at 12:30 p.m. at St. Ignatius Church Cemetery, Port Tobacco.

Contact: Joe.norris@thebaynet.com