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1940 - 2019

BORN

1940

DIED

2019

Gordon Baer Obituary

Gordon Baer

Cincinnati - died March 16, 2019. Gordon (Charles Gordon) was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on June 7, 1940, to Raymond and Blema Baer (Sandler).

Gordon was a versatile, award-winning photographer with a wide range of subjects, but when asked by a reporter what type of photography he prefers, Gordon didn't hesitate: "portraiture." That should come as no surprise from a man who never met a stranger and showed an insatiable curiosity and profound compassion for his fellow human beings. His photography and his life reflected his easy, natural bond with people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

He studied Fine Arts at the University of Louisville where his interest in photography grew and moved toward photojournalism. While still in college he became a stringer, freelance photographer for major publications.

Over the years, his work included stories of Vietnam veterans, the civil rights movement, a dying aunt, the strip mining of eastern Kentucky, a Kentucky chair maker, and almost every type of photo assignment. He worked as a staff photographer at the Cincinnati Post and Times Star from 1966 to 1971. During that time, his National Guard unit was activated in response to the Pueblo Crisis and he spent time in Korea and Panama. After he left the Post, he maintained a free-lance business until his retirement and also continued to provide photo essays to the local newspapers. His work has appeared in many national magazines, including Life, Time, Newsweek, Fortune and National Geographic.

In 1982, he received the prestigious University of Missouri/National Press Photographers Association/Nikon World Understanding Award for his documentary images of the post-war trauma of Vietnam veterans, later published in "Vietnam: The Battle Comes Home".

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Blema and Ray, and by his brother Perry. He is survived by his wife Shirley VanAbbema, many cousins, in-laws and myriad friends.

A graveside service will be held at Anshei Sfard cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky on March 18 at 2pm.

A memorial will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio at a date to be determined.

Memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson's Support and Wellness Center in Cincinnati (parkinsoncincinnati.org) or to the Kennedy Heights Arts Center (kennedyarts.org).

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

Published by The Cincinnati Enquirer on Mar. 19, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Gordon Baer

19 Entries

Barbara McManus

January 14, 2021

Gordon photographed our children back in the early 90s and we absolutely loved them, true pieces of art in my option. I wish I had the original negatives and wonder if there is an archive of his work that is preserved somewhere. I came across this one today and decided to research, sad to hear of his passing. He was a wonderful photographer and a very sweet soul.

Cynthia(Cindy) Vornberger

December 31, 2019

Mr Baer was one of my special patients at the VA when I worked on the 4th floor. I always loved to converse with him and his wife Shirleybwhen he came in to my Neurology clinic appts. One day he came in with this camera and shot a lovely pic of me. It was today as I mounted the pic in my album with his name embossed on the bottom that I thought of him as I have done many times in the pass wondering if he was still with us . So it was today as I googled his name that I found out he had passed So very sad and as I have read the notes typed here in his remembersnce book that I remember him so ever fondly. Yes he was special and he was one of my most special as I obviously his name has remained in my memory and heart as a very special person. He had also given me his autographed book on Vietnam of which I had shared with friends who were Vietnam Vets.
God Bless... ur suffering is over Rest In Peace

Betty Rosenthal

July 3, 2019

I knew Gordon for many, many years. When I lived-in Washington, D.C. he stayed with me during a business trip. He slept on my sofa bed & it was never quite the same! He was a big guy! A gentle giant! When I got married several yrs later, he was the only photographer I even considered to take my wedding pictures, in black & white, of course. They were glorious & even though the marriage didn't last, I cherish those pictures. As time went on, I didn't see much of him. However, several yrs ago, I went to an exhibit of his work @ The Kennedy Heights Art Center & bought a photo titled We Shall Overcome which hangs in my family room. Gordon was a gifted photographer & a lovely human being. He will be missed.

Graydon DeCamp

March 25, 2019

One day before GB worked at The Post, I was leaving for lunch as he pulled up in front of 800 Broadway, and the first thing I noticed was a grotesquely bent fender on his VW covered with an equally huge Band-Aid. I instantly hoped he was coming for a job interview because I knew this was someone I wanted to know! So I introduced myself there on the sidewalk and by the time I got back to the 4th floor from lunch he'd been hired. I enjoyed working with every photog' I knew, but Gordie was special, and I was glad years later at The Enquirer, to be first to publish his Vietnam vet images. A few years ago, after he had taken ill, I was honored to nominate him for Cincinnati's Journalism Hall of Fame. When I visited him in the nursing home before the ceremony, I didn't know we'd not meet again. Sad? Nah. Memories of GB still gladden my heart.

Randy Dieter

March 23, 2019

December 1977. We had opened up our newspaper darkroom to about two dozen out of town photographers who were covering the plane crash which killed the entire University of Evansville basketball team and coaches. "Gordie" was one of the photographers. We process their film, helped edit, made prints to be moved on AP and UPI. It was a long day and it was exhausting. Everyone rushed out as soon as they could except one individual, Gordon. He helped clean up and we went out to a 24 hour restaurant to eat and got to know each other. Our paths would cross many times over the preceding decades and it always was like each meeting was just yesterday. He was a joy and a delight.

Gordon was a gentle man who loved people. He photographed many people over the years, some famous, others ordinary, like us. He took our engagement photo, a treasure we are blessed to have had him take. It was done free, no charge. Told us it was a wedding gift.

My sincerest sympathy to family and friends who were fortunate enough to know him. Being one of them was most special and rewarding. Namaste.

March 22, 2019

Memories of Gordon never dim. They are vibrant and energizing today as was the experience of working with him at The Cincinnati Post over 50 years ago. A photo shoot with Gordon was an experience in alchemy as he took a routine assignment and called out the visual gold it contained.

In peace, may his memory be blessed,

Marilyn McKay (Catlin)

cal kowal

March 22, 2019

was one in a million and added so much to cincinnati image community. sorry to hear his passing.
cal kowal, anita douthat.

March 22, 2019

I treasure my memories of Gordon. He was the assigned photographer and I the reporter covering the Beatles concert at Crosley Field in the 1960s. He was so creative...and fun...and the entire experience launched my journalism career. His kindness and sensitivity will never be forgotten. My deepest condolences to all his family and friends!
Katie Schmitz, Canberra, Australia

March 20, 2019

My sincerest condolences to the family. I am sorry for your tremendous loss. Jude 1: 20, 21

Marymargaret Rochford

March 20, 2019

What fun we had working with Gordon on making flowers look sexy for the Flower Show Poster. Deepest sympathy to his family

Diane Connell

March 19, 2019

An amazing man with a heart of gold. While my husband was in Vietnam he made sure he helped my roommate and me get a Hannaka bush! Miss you!

Jerry & Robin Galvin

March 19, 2019

We are so sad to learn this, Shirley. What a gifted and wonderful man he was.

Bernice Levy

March 19, 2019

Rest In Peace, cousin. Please give your mom and mine a hug from me
Bernice Stern Levy

Jo Thomas

March 19, 2019

I knew and worked with Gordon when we were both starting out at the Cincinnati Post. He had immense talent and courage and great empathy for his subjects and colleagues. We once covered the terrible aftermath of an airplane crash together. I'll miss you, Gordon. So sorry for your loss, Shirley.

Renate Thomas

March 19, 2019

I came to your house to look over Gordon's Beatle pictures from 1966. My friend found them displayed on the walkway above the city and found the two of us in the picture he had taken of the Beatles coming onto Crosley Field. I got quite a few of the pictures from that day from him, including 3 with me in them. He will always hold a warm place in my heart for such a great memory. You have my condolences.

March 19, 2019

I have fond memories of working with Gordon at Kennedy Heights Arts Center on several exhibitions. A gentle giant with a very big heart and a wonderful talent with his camera and story telling.

March 19, 2019

So sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in God's loving word's found at 1Pet 5:10

Jennifer H

March 19, 2019

Sorry for your loss May you find comfort and strength in God's promise found John 6:40

Maureen France

March 18, 2019

Gordon was a gentle, funny, curious man who loved people. He photographed so many people over the years-famous and ordinary. Gordon was a great storyteller and he told the stories of his subjects with beautiful, powerful images that captured their spirit.

My deepest sympathy to the Baer family and to all of the friends who were fortunate enough to know him.
I count myself as one of those.

Showing 1 - 19 of 19 results