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Peter Baird Obituary
a well known Phoenix trial lawyer and writer, passed away in St. Joseph's Hospital on August 27, 2009, after a short illness. Peter was born on August 23, 1941, in Syracuse, New York and was raised in Moscow, Idaho. He was the only child of Dr. Thomas and Virginia Baird, both deceased. His undergraduate education was at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota and he received his law degree from Stanford University in 1966. Upon law school graduation Peter joined the Phoenix law firm Lewis and Roca in July 1966 and has practiced there until his death. He is survived by his wife Susanne Mercier Baird, two sons from his first marriage, Kyle Baird (Randi) and Thomas Baird (Christina). His stepchildren are Jerry Sanders (Christine), Jim Sanders (Tina), Julie Sanders (Mike Klausman), and Jeff Sanders. His grandchildren are Kell Bjarne Baird, Freya Baird, Katelin Baird, Ashley Baird, Chase Sanders, Amanda Sanders, Shane Sanders, Alec Sanders, Adam Sanders and Niki Sanders. His great grandchildren are Olivia Lytle, Naomi Lytle, and Cheyanne Sanders. Among the many honors Peter received during his active lifetime and law practice was an Honorary Doctoral Degree of Humane Letters from Carleton College (1992) and the Distinguished Citizen Award from the University of Arizona College of Medicine (1989). He was a Founding Fellow of the State Bar Foundation for Legal Services and Education which awarded him the Walter E. Craig Distinguished Service Award (2003). During his lifetime Peter had written and been published extensively on legal and non-legal subjects. Peter's published books are Beyond Peleliu, a novel, Ravenhawk Books (2006) and Protecting Moscow From The Soviets, National Writers Press, Inc. (2008). His other writings were numerous. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the Great Hall at Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University in Tempe. Susanne and the family suggest donations to the University of Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson, Arizona, www.azcc.arizona.edu/giving/how in lieu of flowers.
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Memories and Condolences
for Peter Baird
Lisa Pierre
August 25, 2020
I did not know! I’ve moved back to Houston. What a strong man with a kind heart. I was his legal sec’y at Lewis & Roca for a short time in 1987/8 when he and his 1st wife came over to bring our firstborn a gift. We ended up with their sweet Daisy dog. He was gracious to me. Glad I met him. Sorry this is years late.
June 2, 2010
Suzanne,
I was a senior at Moscow High School when Peter was a junior. He was outspoken and confident, particularly in challenging teachers. I was thinking of him tonight as I researched Julia Fairless Baird, to see if she was in his family tree.
So I typed his name in Google, and was rewarded with a huge jolt. I should have called several years ago, obviously. Time doesn't wait.
We are so very sorry for your loss. Nancy Hodges Darnell (Edmond, Oklahoma)
Jeff Hartzer
January 23, 2010
I only just now learned of Peter's passage (through Google to this page). I am very sorry to learn this news. My condolences to his family near and far.
I came to know Peter through his first book. He and I shared the fate of both having fathers who were on Peleliu in WWII. He was very kind to me through letters/email on the subject of writing.
After many family losses in the last ten years (both mine and my wife's family), I hold special empathy for those left behind by Peter.
October 26, 2009
Dear Peter,
I miss you so...please come back.
Gary Fry
Donna Hamilton
September 13, 2009
To the extended Baird family-
I am so sorry for your loss. Tom, Christina, and girls- I'm especially thinking about each of you.
Josh Gardner
September 12, 2009
I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet and work with Peter as his clarinet teacher. His love for music and life was truly inspirational. He knew what he wanted and was ready to do what it would take to reach his goals. I always looked forward to Peter's lessons because he was so enthusiastic. I was terribly saddened to hear of his passing. I know he will be missed by many. My thoughts are with your family.
Christina Koehn
September 9, 2009
I was very fortunate to have met Peter when he served as mediator in a few of my cases. He was always so well prepared and thoughtful. And what an interesting person he was - not only was he a lawyer, but a fellow clarinet player, and a wonderful writer! I am so sorry for your family's loss. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Erma Waddell
September 4, 2009
Was so sorry to hear of Peter's passing. I was his father's receptionist in Moscow when Peter was in high school. Had only reconnected with him in the last couple years and am so glad I made the effort to do that. He was so kind in our correspondence. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this most difficult time.
Debbie & Dennis Sexton
September 2, 2009
Peter was a great mentor to me after I left Lewis & Roca; and We would like to express our deepest sympathy for your loss, and hope that your wonderful memories of him will bring you comfort and peace at this difficult time. He will be long remembered for all the good works he did and the smiles he brought to all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this very sad and difficult time.
Dr. Frank and JoAnne Noyes
September 2, 2009
Dear Suzanne and family, our wonderful children; Christina and Thomas Baird and cherished grand daughters; Katie and Ashley Baird,
Our hearts are broken for all of you.
Suzanne,
We are so sorry for the loss of your loving mate, Peter. When we met you it was apparent how happy you were together. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. JoAnne and Frank Noyes
(Christina's Dad and step Mother)
Christina and Thomas,
The loss of a parent is so difficult - words can't describe the pain of it. We know you loved Peter so much and will miss him greatly. You are so dear to us and as always we will be here for you as you face this sad and challenging time in your lives. We love you. Jo Anne and Dad
Jim Belanger
September 1, 2009
In his poem "As I Ponder'd in Silence" Walt Whitman wrote of ever enduring bards and persons who sing with passion and abandon about the richness of the battle of life. In the end we are left with Lord promoting brave and perfect soldiers. Although Peter would be the first to tell you he was not a perfect soldier, he was and is the embodiment of an ever enduring bard, he sang life more richly and passionately than most, and whoever recruits for the army of the eternal has done themselves very, very proud with the conscription of Peter D. Baird.
September 1, 2009
Peter came to so many ASU clarinet events, and Joshua so enjoyed working with him. He will be so missed. We will, en mass, be at his celebration on life on the 12th!
Dr. Robert S. Spring, (Clarinet)
Professor of Music
School of Music
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85287-0405
Robert Spring
September 1, 2009
Peter came to so many ASU clarinet events, and Joshua so enjoyed working with him. He will be so missed. We will, en mass, be at his celebration on life on the 12th!
Dr. Robert S. Spring, (Clarinet)
Professor of Music
School of Music
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85287-0405
September 1, 2009
We are so sorry for your loss, Susanne. Our hearts go out to you and your family, with a hope that you will find comfort in knowing how many people love and support you.
Thinking of you,
Audrey and Robert
Tina Sanders
August 30, 2009
Mom,
Peter was a man among men, a father among dads, a grandfather among grandfathers. He was strong and serious when he needed to be but funny, kind, and gentle when we needed him to be. When you chose Peter to share your life with, you gave us a gift to know this man as we did. I thank you for that. I can't tell you how many times I would just glance over to see the stars in his eyes when you entered a room and the pride he had that you were his partner. I will miss him so much but will smile every time I think of our times spent together. His wit, his charm and that bellowing laugh will never be forgotten. We love you very much and know that you will make it through this sad time. We will be there every step of the way to help in any way we can. All our love. Tina
August 30, 2009
Susie...We were so shocked to hear about Peter's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Judi and Derrell Parrish
Eric Jackson
August 30, 2009
Our thoughts and prayeres are with you and your family.
M. Neal Rains
August 29, 2009
Susan and Family,
Although I met Peter only within the last two years, I spent some very enjoyable time with him serving as an arbitrator on a matter in Pittsburgh. I found Peter to be an outstanding and extremely interesting individual, as well as a gifted lawyer. I thourghly enjoyed his books and cherish the very kind inscriptions he wrote for me in those books. Peter and I agreed to stay in touch following the conclusion of the arbitration, and I was looking forward to getting together in Phoenix when my wife and I visit friends. Peter did a great deal of good for a lot of people, enjoyed a remarkable and mutlifacted career that has ended much too soon. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Neal Rains
August 29, 2009
Dear Susanne: I am very sorry to hear of your sudden loss, although I had only met Peter on one occassion he left me with an impression of a very fine man with a great sense of humor
and love of family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Linda Hardin
(Mike's Aunt)
August 29, 2009
Susanne: Peter was the guy on whose broad shoulders I cried when I learned, in our dormitory, during our first year at law school, that my father had died. And he has been an important part of my life since then. He was the primary reason I moved to Phoenix, and was one of a very small number of attorneys that had almost everything to do with my appointment to the bench. Though I have not seen him often in these last few years, particularly since my move to the Boston area, I continued to think of him as a close personal friend, and I will miss him greatly.
He was an outstanding litigator with uncommon insight and high professional standards, and this, coupled with his humanity and humor, made him a overriding presence in the legal community. He will be long remembered and missed.
Carol and I send our condolences to you and your extended family. Alan Kamin
August 29, 2009
Susan: Peter was a great friend, and a thoughtful and caring man. He taught my son Robert to play baseball and was more of a father to him at a young age than I was able to be. We are all poorer for the loss of his warm intelligence. Bob Allen
August 29, 2009
Dear Family,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Please take comfort in knowing that "God is near to those broken at heart and those whose spirit is crushed is saved. " Psalms 34:18
August 29, 2009
Dear Family,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Please take comfort in knowing that "God is near to those broken at heart and those whose spirit is crushed is saved. " Psalms 34:18
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