Dr. Robert Baker, Jr.

Baker, Jr., Dr. Robert 4/5/1934 - 4/9/2018 Port Angeles, Washington. Dr. Robert Henry Baker, Jr. passed away at age 84 April 9, 2018 in Port Angeles, Washington. He was born in Lexington Kentucky April 5, 1934 to Nancy Baker and Dr. Robert H. Baker, Sr. Bob Jr. was raised in Evanston Illinois, and won an Illinois Scholarship to attend Trinity College in Hartford Connecticut. While at Trinity, he played multiple sports lettering in Varsity Squash. Bob was also an active member of the Delta Phi fraternity serving as a vice president. In 1955 while on a blind date in Evanston, he met and instantly fell in love with Barbara Jean Gorecki. They were soon engaged. Robert graduated from Trinity in 1956 with degrees in chemistry and physics. The happy couple were married in August 1957. Bob earned a PhD in biochemistry from Indiana University, then did postdoctoral research on enzyme kinetics at University of Wisconsin. The family which now included three young children, moved to Kalamazoo Michigan where Bob worked from 19621990 in the pharmaceutical industry. After retiring from research and management, he enjoyed a second career working at a municipal golf course. Bob's lifelong passions were his wife Barbara, their family, golf, amateur astronomy, and the Chicago Cubs. Having played high caliber golf including scratch league, Bob had two holes-in-1 to his credit. Another golf highlight was caddying for "Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks during a charity golf tournament. After moving to Washington State, health challenges precluded his playing competitive golf. However, Bob was never far from the Golf Channel during any professional events. When the Cubs finally went to the World Series in 2016, Bob, a long-suffering fan was delighted to see his beloved Cubbies take home the trophy. Bob and Barb celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family August 2017, making the trek to Salem Oregon to witness the spectacular Total Solar Eclipse. For the last three years of his life, Bob fought a valiant battle with esophageal cancer. He maintained his delightful wit, storytelling expertise, and sharp intellect to the very last. Robert will forever be loved and missed by his extended family including wife Barbara, brother Peter, brother-in-law Michael, daughters Elizabeth and Margaret, daughter-in-law Ann, son Robert III, son-in-law Patrick, granddaughters Antonia and Sophia. No public Memorial will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra which he supported for many years.