Pete Hughey Baker Jr.

1937 - 2015

In 1937 in Tulsa, Robert Hughey Baker ("Pete") and Gwen Baker had their second child, named Robert Hughey Baker, Jr. But everyone called him "Petey" and he eventually forced his father, a lawyer, to have his name legally changed. He then became Petey Hughey Baker, the "Pete" stayed with him, and he died as our beloved Dr. Pete H. Baker. After graduating from Washington University and University of Oklahoma Medical School, Pete moved to Denver to pursue his internal medicine and gastroenterology career at the University of Colorado. Upon completion of his training, Pete spent two years serving in the US Army at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital. Professionally, Pete spent almost 40 years of his life as one of the preeminent gastroenterologists in Denver. He and two others started a small GI group in 1972 that blossomed into a large, well-respected practice. South Denver Gastroenterology mourns him along with his friends and family. Pete was an avid golfer and a loyal Bronco fan. He was able to find humor in every aspect of life, was able to shed adversity with ease, and was simply a fun guy to be around. Because of his life the world is a better place. Pete loved his family more than anything else in the world. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 46 years Sue; children Chris (Jackie), Sheri, and Stacie Sarsfield (Trey); grandchildren Nelson, Eli, Alyssa, Ryan, Julia, Skylar, and Colby; and his brother Jay, nieces, nephews and cousins. While not related, Bob and Janet Bigelow were every bit the family to Pete as anyone above and also should be recognized as survivors. It was not until after retirement from formal medical practice, however, that Pete found the greatest professional fulfillment of his life. Between teaching residents at the VA and founding an unbelievably popular and successful medical careers class (at Chaparral and later at Cherry Creek High School), Pete was able to share his love of medicine with untold numbers of people who would otherwise never have experienced it. This is his true medical legacy, and the thing he would most want shared in the future. A celebration of Pete's life will be held at Cherry Hills Country Club on Monday, August 10 11:30 - 1:30. Golf attire (very casual, no jeans). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: Cherry Creek Schools Foundation in memory of Dr. Pete Baker, 4700 S. Yosemite St., Suite 130 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Online donations can be made at https://www.ccsdfoundation.org/donate and indicate "in memory of Pete Baker"