Dr. ROBERT JAMES BAKER M.D.

BAKER
Dr. ROBERT JAMES, M.D.
Died peacefully at his home in Bethesda, MD, on Sunday, December 14, 2014. He was born in McKees Rocks, PA, the son of Nicholas (at one time the town's mayor) and Theresa May Baker. He graduated from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and Loyola University Medical School in Chicago, IL. He served as a private first class during World War II with the U.S. Army and as a captain and medical officer in the Air Force during the Korean War. Burial will be with full military honors. Dr. Baker spent the early years of his medical career in general practice in McKees Rocks, delivering several hundred babies (most of whom today are in their 60s). Following his career to help others, he devoted the bulk of his career to psychiatry, training at St. Elizabeth's in Washington, D.C., St. Francis of Pittsburgh, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Institute. He practiced his office in Pittsburgh and later Beaver, PA and at the University of Pittsburgh, St. Francis Hospital, the Butler Veteran's Administration Hospital, and the Rochester, PA Mental Health Center. Throughout his life, Dr. Baker was passionate for learning, charity, his Catholic faith, and his family. He served for many years on Parish Council on St. Mary's Helpful Christians, renamed St. John of God Parish and later at St. Paul's Cathedral of Pittsburgh. He was preceded in death by seven siblings, Paul, Raymond, and John Baker, Dorothy Rennenkamp, Amelia Hartner, Ethel Kosmar, and Pennsylvania's former lieutenant governor, Catherine Baker Knoll. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Martha (Croson) Baker; a sister, Mary Ridgeway; his children, Robert W. Baker and Paula Trzepacz of Indianapolis, IN, Maria Baker Balady and Eddie Balady of Garden City, NY, Elizabeth M. Baker Keffer and Jeff Keffer (deceased) of Washington, D.C., Joseph X., and Amy M. Baker of Bethesda, MD; and his grandchildren, Leila, Isabel, and Michael Balady of Garden City, NY, May, Abby, and Griffin Keffer, Washington, D.C., and Axel Baker of San Antonio, TX. Visitation 6-8 p.m. THURSDAY ONLY at the SCHEPNER - McDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, INC., 165 Noble Ave., Crafton, PA 15205. Mass of Christian Burial 9:30 a.m. Friday in St. John of God Parish the Church at St. Mary's in McKees Rocks.
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