Robert Hershey Baker, M.D., age 95, of Greenville, passed away on Wednesday evening, April 25, 2018.
Born April 5, 1923 in Landisville, Pennsylvania 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, Pennsylvania. Taking classes simultaneously, he graduated in 1946 from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and in 1947 from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He joined the Army and did his residency at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. Entering the Korean War in 1950, he served in one of the first Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) units. Stationed in Germany from 1953-1955, he returned to the United States as a Major and then entered into private practice in 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 Children’s 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 and Iroquois Boating & Fishing Club.
He was 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 lifelong 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, Pennsylvania; a daughter, Barbara B. Dalke and her husband, William D. Dalke of Aurora, Colorado; a granddaughter, Dr. Hannah Baker Dalke of Atlanta, Georgia and two step-granddaughters, Alyssa D. Dalke of Tucson, Arizona and Joanna K. Dalke of Portland, Oregon.
There will be no calling hours observed.
A memorial service will be held, Wednesday, May 2 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1 Trinity Place, Greenville, Pennsylvania with Reverend Dennis Blauser, Interim Pastor, officiating.
Immediately following the service, the Baker family invites all who attend to join them at a reception at the Gallery Grille at the Greens of Greenville.
Inurnment with committal prayers and military honors will be private in Shenango Valley Cemetery
Funeral arraignments handled by Loutzenhiser Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc.
