Robert John Baker

ROBERT JOHN BAKER, 58, of Edgewood, NM passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 following a brave 2-year battle with colon cancer. Robert was born June 29, 1955 in Philadelphia, PA to Francis J. and Marcellina (Vaders) Baker. He married Patricia Horan, his devoted wife of 35 years, on May 6, 1978 in Horsham, PA. Together they had and raised two amazing sons, Keith and Karl. These boys were his world. Taking a post as General Manager for Karsten/Clayton Homes in Albuquerque, Robert came to Edgewood 2 ½ years ago after a long career that had taken him to Chalfont, PA; Clarkston, MI; Hollidaysburg, PA; Loyalsock Township, PA; and Graham, TX. A graduate of the PA College of Technology (Formerly WACC), he had begun work as a self-employed contractor in the building industry, eventually earning his way into management positions at Toll Brothers, Inc., DKM Building Enterprises, Champion Enterprises and Avis America. Respected across the industry for both his technical expertise and conscientious leadership, he served as a member of the NM Manufactured Housing Association, the Board of Directors for the PA Manufactured Housing Association, and the Blair County, PA Builder’s Association. At his final post in Albuquerque, Robert led over 150 employees with passion, dignity, and unparalleled skill throughout his painful fight with cancer. These men and women will remember both Robert’s respect for others and his uncompromising commitment to doing the right thing, values he strove to instill upon all those with whom he worked. Robert was also an avid outdoorsman with a special love for shooting sports. He was a member and/or served on the board of the NRA, the Whittington Center, Founders Ranch Shooting Range, SASS, Lycoming County Sportsmen’s Association, Warriors Mark Wingshooting Lodge, the Hollidaysburg Sportsmen’s Association, and the Bucks County Shooting Club. Robert thoroughly enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, cycling and any other activity that kept him in the great outdoors. He spent some of his proudest moments coaching his sons in Little League baseball, AYSO soccer, and passing on his knowledge and love of nature. His sons and wife, and all those who knew Robert, will forever remember and admire him as an unshakable man of both common decency and uncommon courage. Despite his diagnosis, Robert spent the past two years forging through his pain to love, teach, and provide for his family each and every day, just as he always had, until his very last. Robert was preceded in death by his father Francis J. Baker and his mother-in-law Patricia F. Walsh. He is survived by his wife, Patti (Horan) Baker; sons, Keith Baker of Burlington, NC and Karl Baker of Belton, TX and his fiancé Melanie Gatlin; mother, Marcellina (Vaders) Baker of Lawrenceville, NJ; father-in-law Francis X. Walsh of Horsham, PA; sisters, Ginger Sayegh of Margate, NJ and Marcy Lewis of Princeton Junction, NJ; brothers and sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service is planned for 3:00 pm on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at St. Luke’s Memorial Episcopal Church, 1946 Welsh Road, Philadelphia (Bustleton), PA. In lieu of flowers Robert would love to have a tree planted in his memory, or a donation to the National Forest Foundation.