Memorial Service:
Wednesday, May 2, 2018, 11:00am
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
1 Trinity Place, Greenville, PA
Rev. Dennis Blauser, Interim Pastor, officiating
Immediately following the service, the Baker family invites
all who attend to join them at a reception Ā at the Gallery Grille
at the Greens of Greenville.
Inurnment with committal prayers and military honors will be
private in Shenango Valley Cemetery
There will be no calling hours observed.
Robert Hershey Baker, M.D., age 95, of Greenville, passed away on Wednesday evening April 25th, 2018.
Born April 5, 1923 in Landisville, PA to Charles Hess Baker and Emma Stuart (Hershey) Baker. He married Marguerite Alice (Baker) Baker on September 24, 1946. He was a graduate of Hempfield High School in Landisville, PA. Taking classes simultaneously, he graduated in 1946 from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA and in 1947 from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA. He joined the Army and did his residency at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Aurora, CO. Entering the Korean War in 1950, he served in one of the first Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) units. Stationed in Germany from 1953-55, he returned to the United States as a Major, and then entered into private practice inĀ Greenville where he had a long and distinguished medical career as an orthopaedic surgeon.
For many years he was a team physician to Thiel College and high schools of Greenville, Linesville, Reynolds, and Slippery Rock. With a priority for education, the arts, and philanthropy, he was a member of the boards of the Greenville Area School District, Thiel College, the Childrenās Aid Society Mercer County, and a Trustee for the Butler Institute of American Art as well as a generous supporter of the symphony, library, churches, and schools in the Greenville area. He was a member of the Lions Club, Elks Club, American Legion, Greenville Country Club, Oakmont Country Club, Iroquois Boating & Fishing Club, and a devout member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Baker was a recipient of the A. Louis and Barbara Thiel Distinguished Service Award in 2002.
A life-long learner, Dr. Baker was interested and interesting. He loved golf and cheering on his sports teams and players. He dabbled in raising bluebirds, alpacas, and monarch butterflies. He appreciated the beauty in life from dapper clothing to collecting works of art. During the last few years he became a prolific potter. Interested in current events from politics to local and world news, he was always ready to engage in good conversation. He will be forever remembered for his generosity, forward thinking, and zest for life.
He is survived by a son Robert C. Baker of Greenville, PA, a daughter, Barbara B. Dalke and her husband, William D. Dalke of Aurora, CO, a granddaughter, Dr. Hannah Baker Dalke of Atlanta, GA, and 2 step-granddaughters, Alyssa D. Dalke of Tucson, AZ and Joanna K. Dalke of Portland, OR.
Our lives were enriched by our dear friend and employer. Doc will be greatly missed by our whole family and many others that were touched by his kindness.. Our deepest sympathy to the Baker Family, Bobby, Barb, Bill and Hannah.
My thoughts and prayers for the Baker family
My deepest sympathy to the family of a great man who will be remembered forever by all who knew and were aware of Dr. Bob Baker.
I had the privilege of being able to work with Dr Baker! He was a great man! I was honored to learn from him. My sympathies to his family.
Know that in all your sorrow God will comfort you. Psalms 94:19.
The entire Mercer County community has lost a great physician, philanthropist, teacher, and friend. When we had the pleasure of running into Dr. Baker, usually at a restaurant, he was always dining with his son, Bob. Bob was tireless in his care for his father and it was evident that Bob’s dad was the first and foremost priority in his life. Bob, you were a wonderful son! Every parent should be so fortunate.
Bob and Barb
Sorry for your loss. Dr. Baker was a great man, not for just being an orthopedic surgeon, but all he did for everyone. I have always appreciated what he did to support our family and all the care and support he gave to me during my athletic career in high school and college.
With gratitude for a lifelong friendship. God speed…
Barb, thinking about you and your family at this difficult time. I hope you find peace and comfort in your memories.
Dr. Baker’s effects on the Greenville community will benefit us for generations! His medical practice helped build our hospital system far beyond that of a normal “rural community”. Yet he was so approachable and friendly, truly enjoying his interactions with young people. On the personal side, our family never would have met my Uncle Harry Logan if he had not come from Pittsburgh to Greenville Hospital for a joint replacement, brought here by the reputation Dr. Baker had established.
Dear Barb and Family,
We hold you in our thoughts at this sad time. It has been an honor knowing your Dad through you.
A life well lived!
Love, Deb and Fred Fox
Dr. Baker will be sadly missed. I can remember when I had a several knee injuries back in my high school football years. He did such a wonderful job repairing it that I could return to sports again. What I remember the most was his great bedside manner being very, very kind and caring soul. My God bless Dr. Baker and comfort those who mourn his passing.
Dr. Baker will be sadly missed. He was a one of a kind. He helped me out many times. He was a very famous doctor from a small town that he loved. The family as well as Dr. Baker will be in our payers.
Tim & Sherri Jablon
Dr Baker was a wonderful and kind man to so many of us. Our hearts go out to his family. God bless all of the family.
A greater person for community, county, and country certainly would not be found; Dr. Baker will be missed indeed. God”s speed to his family.
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy. Dr. Baker was a outstanding physician, philanthropist, and and friend to the Greenville community. I am sure that many will think of him and his life often with great appreciation. May God comfort you at this time and in the days ahead.
I had the privilege of working with Dr. Baker for many years and learned so much from him. He was so special and I will always think of him as a special doctor and person. Thank you to Bobby for taking good care of him.
As a child and through the rest of my life I had the honor to grow up in a couple of the neighbors homes as well as my own. One was the home of George and Joan Wasser, the other was the home of Dr. Robert Baker and Peggy. Doctor Baker’s passing was the last of all 6 of my parents. Definitely an experience that is part of my overall training to be an adult. He has helped so many people in so many ways it’s hard to describe. Dr. Baker’s passing is an end to a era. God Bless.
While we were saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Baker we can’t help but pause to celebrate the epitome of a life well lived. When you think of the comfort from pain he provided to thousands of patients; of how improved the quality of life in the Greenville Community with his charity and compassion; and finally how he was such a source of inspiration for up and coming medical professionals-all you can say is WOW! A hero, a legend, and it is comforting to know that as much as we all loved Dr. Baker, God still loves him more.
Don Carpenter, Sue Carpenter Achenbach, and Don Achenbach
To the Baker family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. It was such a nice service today and I’m sorry i didn’t get the chance to approach you to extend my sympathy. Your dad will be missed not being in his ‘usual’ pew.
With my sympathy,
Betty K Junk
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Baker. My family and I will be eternally grateful for everything that Dr. Baker has done for us. His generosity and kindness will never be forgotten and were an inspiration for all who had the privilege to know him. He will be deeply missed. Our deepest sympathies to Bob and Barb.
Time spent with Dr. Baker was special. He was such a wonderful example of learning and giving. We are grateful for the many memories.
Dear Barb and Family,
“A good life leaves behind seeds that keep on growing…” clearly, your Father will continue on in the hearts and lives of many. May your memories bring your comfort and peace.
Love,
Susan and Russ Nelson