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Richard Baxter Obituary

Richard Baxter
AIKEN, SC - We lost a gentle, brilliant, shy, modest, kind and humorous soul on December 18, 2014. Richard George Baxter passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous fight with cancer. He showed strength, grace, humor, and humility throughout this battle.
Richard was born in Plainfield, NJ on June 3, 1928. He grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and Westport, CT. He graduated from Columbia University with a B.A in Chemical Engineering, an M.S from the University of Chicago, as well as a graduate degree in Theoretical Physics with courses combined from the University of Delaware, the University of Kentucky, and the University of South Carolina.
He married the love of his life, Charlotte Phelps Raymond, on his birthday in 1950.
Richard joined the DuPont Company in September of 1951, beginning at Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, Illinois and continued to work for DuPont in Aiken, Louisville, Kentucky and Wilmington, Delaware until his retirement in 1990. While in Louisville, Richard and his co-worker were given the challenge of developing a new kind of synthetic rubber without using coal in the process. They combined fuel oil and acetylene out of gas and developed the product we know as Neoprene. He held many positions at SRP. His favorite assignment, however, was in Reactor Physics, calculating the position of reactor fuel rod assemblies to make Tritium.
Richard was the quintessential Cold War Warrior, manifesting his love of country in the devotion of his considerable talents to the defense mission.
Richard's interests and hobbies were varied and extensive. He loved swimming, golf, tennis, snow skiing, and sailing, was an amateur artist and founding member of the Aiken Artist's Guild, a member of the Augusta Sailing Club and of the St. Andrews Society; coached swimming at ASA with Lee Poe, helped coach his kids in swimming at the Fermata Club with Fred Christensen, taught Sunday school, worked with the Boy Scouts, and coached baseball. He volunteered at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Planetarium, delighting school kids who asked him which star God was on (he always pointed one out), and served on the school board. He and Charlotte believed one should never stop learning and took many classes at USCA. He served a term as president of the Academy of Lifelong Learning and in 2014 received the Kaufman Award. He loved playing the clarinet and was a member of the New Horizons band. He was also a genealogist, a Master Gardner, an amateur astronomer and geologist and Masters Swimmer.
Richard demonstrated his belief in lifelong fitness his entire life as he and Charlotte worked out at the Wellness Center gym until his illness.
Aside of his many interests, Richard loved his family to the moon and back and put them first; when he had free time, he devoted it to them-family trips, picnics, gardening lessons, sports activities and composing silly jingles. Becoming a grandfather was one of his life's great joys; he delighted in amusing his grandchildren with amazing tales born in his vivid imagination.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Charlotte Raymond Baxter, Pixie Baxter of Aiken, Roger Baxter of Humble, TX, Sandy Baxter (Robert Lemmon) of Lexington, Carol Baxter Sherburne (Dave) and Sharon Baxter, both of Aiken; grandchildren Claire, Andrew, and Eric Sherburne of Aiken; siblings Robert Baxter of Westport, CT, Brooke Baxter of Sherman, CT. and Peg Armstrong of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; last, but not least, his dog Maddux. He was predeceased by a sister Betty Floody.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to: Aiken Partnership
The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center
471 University Parkway, Aiken, SC 29801
A memorial will be held in the spring when his beautiful, beloved azaleas are in full bloom.
The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of Aiken Regional Hospital and Anchor Rehabilitation Center for their compassionate care.
SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC. 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC
His online guest registry may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Aiken Standard and North Augusta Star on Dec. 19, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
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Amy Ramsey

January 5, 2015

Dear Charlotte and family. Please accept my condolences regarding your loss. Dick was a kind and patient mentor when I was a young engineer beginning my career. I greatly admired him and was impressed not only by his knowledge and professionalism, but also by his varied interests and passion for life. He obviously adored you all and was a wonderful role model for how to live a balanced and fulfilling life. I am glad he was able to fully enjoy retirement. May he rest in peace with Our Hevenly Father and may you be comforted in the knowlege that you will see him again.

December 27, 2014

Oh Sandy, so many things I never knew about my dear uncle. You know my prayers are with you all. Love, hugs, and blessings to all the Baxters....Cousin Barb Puccino and family

Marcia

December 24, 2014

Sandy...please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this time.

Peggy Deans Karelitz

December 23, 2014

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, Pixie.

Delores Gilliard

December 21, 2014

Sandy,
Please know that I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. I am praying for your strength and that God's love for you will give you comfort.

December 21, 2014

Our prayers go out to you. Love always, Roseanne and Walter

Christina Baxter

December 21, 2014

Allow yourself to feel the blanket of his love that will always be there to comfort you. When you feel lost, look to the stars and you will find him there.

Catherine Beckham

December 21, 2014

Sandy,
My heart goes out to you and your family. Please lean on me for anything you need.Your wonderful father was obviously loved by many and I know he was aware of your love for him. He was more brilliant than I even knew and was a wonderful scientist and gave so much to you all and his community. I love you friend. All who feel his loss, especially you and your family, will remain in my prayers. May the Lord grant you peace.

December 20, 2014

May you find comfort in the wonderful memories of your Father, in hopes that it will help you through your time of grieving. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Bill & Linda Bourbeau

December 20, 2014

To Charlotte and family just want you"ll to know you are in our prayers and thoughts. We know you"ll will miss him but he is in a better place. Our loss but Gods gain.

With Love, Bobby and Carolyn Cato

Becky Lock

December 20, 2014

Father, You know how kind a man he was to me when I took my art class with Al Beyer so many years ago, and what an encouraging words he gave me with my art work. Thank You for this special man, and I ask Your favored healing on his family right now. Strengthen them for the tasks at hand and in the days ahead. Grant them Your peace that passeth all understanding and may they remember the wonderful blessing he was to them. I ask these things in Your Holy name, amen.~~~

King family

December 19, 2014

May the God of tender mercy (Psalms 83: 18) grant the family peace and comfort during this time of sorrow (2Cor. 1: 2-4).

Anu Acharekar

December 19, 2014

I am really sorry to hear Mr. Baxter's passing. We are little poorer today without him. He was a regular visitor of the Aiken Co. Public Library. He shared his knowledge freely and touched so many lives. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. May his Soul Rest In Peace.

Alan & Marge Wood

December 19, 2014

Dick was my favorite tennis partner and friend. Being in his company was a joy and the world is dimmer without him to share a smile or laugh. Dick and I shared many happy memories together while we lived Aiken.

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Funeral services provided by:

Shellhouse Funeral Home, Inc. - Aiken

924 Hayne Ave., Aiken, SC 29801

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