Robert Leon Baker

1925 - 2015

Rear Admiral Robert Leon Baker, United States Navy, (Ret), 90

Rear Admiral, Robert Leon Baker, Medical Corps, United States Navy, (Ret)

Robert Leon Baker was born on February 7, 1925, in Oak, Nebraska, as the son of Oscar E. and Ada Veru (Davis) Baker. He was raised by Oscar E. and Merie (Mimi) Baker. He departed this life on Friday, May 15, 2015 in Mt. Home. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rebecca C. Baker, US Navy Nurse Corps Veteran.

He graduated from Mountain Home High School, and in February, 1943 he enlisted in the Naval Reserve as a Seaman Apprentice. He attended Hendrix College until July 1943, and under the V-12 Program and then transferred to Louisiana Polytechnic Institute where he received a Bachelor of Science with Honors in 1945. He attended the University of Arkansas School of Medicine at Little Rock where he received a Bachelor of Medical Science, and a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1949 with highest honors, and was commissioned as an officer in the Naval Reserve.

After graduation, he reported to Tripler General Hospital, in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he completed his Internship in July, 1950. In July of 1954, he completed his Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Naval Hospital, Oakland, CA. He served his 37 year Naval career at other Naval hospitals such as Naval Hospital Guam (Marianas Islands); Naval Hospital Great Lakes, Illinois; Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, NC; Naval Hospital and Naval Aerospace Medical Center, Pensacola; Naval Hospital Portsmouth, VA; and Naval Hospital Philadelphia, PA.

Dr. Baker held many leadership positions including Commanding Officer of two Naval Regional Medical Centers. He was selected as the Navy's first OBGYN Clinical Admiral in August, 1973. He retired from his Naval career in August, 1979, in Pensacola, and returned to Mountain Home, AR, to begin his OBGYN private practice, and finally fully retired in in 1996, after having delivered over 8,000 babies during his career.

He continued to serve as Medical Director of Hospice of the Ozarks for 12 years, and on the CARTI Board for over 10 years. Dr. Baker received numerous Military awards and ribbons, which included the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the National Defense Medal with bronze star. He was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and the Phi Chi Medical Fraternity. During his career he served on the Board of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), and is listed in Who's Who in America.

Dr. Baker loved to hunt and he killed his last 8 pt. buck from his wheel chair last year. Also, he loved fishing, photography, painting and most importantly spending time with his family and serving on educational and charitable foundations. Dr. Baker and Rebecca's dream was for all of their six children to complete college. This blessing was evidenced by the following: three doctors, one Master's in Nursing Sciences, and two teachers, both focused on elementary childhood education.

Dr. Baker was first married to Bettye Jo Hill, and they had three children. He later married Rebecca C. Baker, with whom he had three children. He is preceded in death by two of his sons, Dr. Jay Milton Baker in 2004, and Robert L. Baker, Jr. PhD in 2008, and one daughter-in-law, Laura C. Baker in 2015. He is survived by daughters, Rebecca B. Penski, and husband Bob Penski of Seattle, WA; Betsy B. Pepper, and husband John Pepper, of Carthage, TX; Captain Brenda C. Baker, NC, USN (Ret) of Jacksonville, FL.; and son, Captain Bruce C. Baker, MC, USN (Ret) and wife, Susan Baker of Oceanside, CA. His grandchildren include Kevin Keadle and wife Sally, Chris Keadle and wife Samantha; Michelle Allgaier and husband Dr. Brian Allgaier; Jennifer Anderson and husband Drew; Marissa Baker, Brandon Baker and Madison Baker. His great-grandchildren include Benson Keadle, Anika Keadle, Dylan Keadle, Ruth Anderson, John Christopher Allgaier, Rebekah Anderson, Evelyn Keadle and Rachel Anderson.

We would like to express our special appreciation of the professional dedication and compassionate care of the staff at Hiram Shaddox.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00, Wednesday, May, 20, 2015, at the First Christian Church, Mountain Home, AR. A visitation will be Tuesday from Noon until 9:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are: Kevin Keadle, Chris Keadle, Drew Anderson, Brian Allgaier, Chris Carter and Patrick Carter.

Honorary Pallbearers are: Dr. Bruce Baker, John Pepper, Bob Penski, William Baker, Jay E. (Jeb) Baker, II, TC Carter, Buster Bodenhamer, Bob Bodenhamer, Steve Heckler, Dr. Bill Snow, Dr. Wayne Slone, Dr. Richard Burnett, Dr. Tim Paden, Jack Wilson and the hundreds of medical personnel, military and civilian, that Dr. Baker taught, mentored, and led.

Arrangements are by Roller Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to CARTI or Hospice of the Ozarks.

Visit our online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com