Dr. Robert Warren Baker Sr.

Baker, Dr. Robert Warren, Sr.
Ithaca: "Educator, Philanthropist and Friend". Passed on October 20th, 2008, at age 82. He was predeceased by his father, Bert B. Baker, his mother, Grace B. Baker, and his sister, Sally B. Gibb.
Dr. Baker was survived by his wife of 54 years, Natalie Peterson Baker, whom he met while he was a resident at the University of Illinois Medical Center. They had three children, all of whom survive him; Dr. Robert W. Baker, Jr. (Sarah) of Ithaca, N.Y.; Susan Baker Sheridan (Tom) of Trumansburg, N.Y.; and Nancy Baker (Dr. Peter Clement) of Rochester, N. Y. He also is survived by his beloved grandchildren, Brian T. Sheridan, Carley E. Clement, and Andrew B. Clement. He is also survived by a nephew. He is additionally survived by many friends, colleagues, and students, all of whom were special to him.
Born in Ithaca, New York on August 1, 1926, Dr. Baker was educated in the Ithaca public school system. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Cornell University, after serving in World War II, then graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree. He continued his education, receiving an Orthodontic Certificate and a Master of Science degree in 1954 from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Upon his graduation in 1955, he received the Award of Merit from the American Association of Orthodontists.
Dr. Baker returned to Ithaca in 1954 to practice orthodontics, and he joined Dr. Edward King in practice in the Seneca Building. They eventually moved their office to Tioga Street, where it continues today. They later opened several orthodontic offices in upstate New York, providing care to many within the state. He was also asked to join the faculty at the Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, N.Y., and he taught orthodontics there for nearly 50 years, on a part-time basis, to many interesting and beloved students from around the world. He ultimately attained the rank of Senior Clinical Professor, a position he held until his death.
His involvement with professional organizations was unique. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontists, and a Fellow and past President of both the International College of Dentists and the American College of Dentists. He was also a member of the American Dental Association Corporation Board of Directors. He was a member of the American Dental Association, and held offices in the New York State Dental Society, the Sixth District Dental Society, the Tompkins County Dental Society, Cortland County Dental Society, and many other dental organizations. He served on the National Academies of Orthodontic Practice and was named a Distinguished Practitioner of that group. He was a member and past President of the Edward H. Angle National Society of Orthodontists, and a member of the Cleft Palate Association. He was past president of the American Association of Dental Insultants. He served at the national level as a member of the Council on Dental Practice. He also served on the Board of Overseers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine for 25 years, also serving as an Associate Trustee at the University. He was also a member of the University of Pennsylvania Alumni Executive Committee. He additionally served as a University of Illinois Alumni Association Trustee.
He was very proud to receive the Eastman Dental Center Faculty Teaching Award, and the Alumni Award of Merit from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine. He also received the 2007 Director's Excellence Award and the 2007 Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Division Award from the University of Rochester Eastman Dental Center. He received many other awards from the institutions and universities in which he was involved, several in appreciation of his dedication and hard work on their behalf.
He was constantly involved with education, both in passing along to others the knowledge he had gained in orthodontics and business, and in helping colleges and universities plan, grow and flourish. He strongly believed that everyone should give back to the institutions that had helped them to succeed.
He was a member of the Board of Trustees at Ithaca College from 1981 to the present, serving in an emeritus capacity in the last few years. He served on many committees at Ithaca College, including the Investment and Finance Committee, Buildings and Grounds, Education, and Resource. He also was a visiting lecturer in the Graduate Department of Speech at Ithaca College in the 1970's and the 1980's. He was a visiting lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, the State University of New York at Buffalo, the University of Connecticut, the American Orthodontic Society of Germany, and on the island of Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles. He was the founder of the first Orthodontic practice ever established in Curacao. He was a faculty member of the Edgewise Orthodontic Training Course in Europe for many years, and he and his family enjoyed many fun trips to Europe while he taught there.
Dr. Baker also worked in partnership and close friendship with Integrated Acquisition and Development Corporation for over thirty years.
He belonged for many years to the Rotary Clubs of Ithaca and Cortland, the Ithaca Country Club, the Cortland Country Club and the John's Island Club in Vero Beach, Florida.
He loved his work, teaching, his family, friends and music. He touched the lives of many people from around the world in a positive way, with his outgoing personality and his great sense of humor. He will be deeply missed by all.
Arrangements will be announced by the family at a later date. BANGS FUNERAL HOME WILL BE IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Bert B. Baker Scholarship Fund at Ithaca College, C/O Mrs. Shelly S. Semmler, Office of Alumni Relations, 200 Alumni Hall, Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York 14850-7040 or the educational institution of your choice.