Robert Baker

Robert Charles Baker was born in Woodburn, Indiana, in 1934, but was raised in Henry County. His father, Charles Baker, of Liberty Center, was Superintendent of Liberty Center Water & Electric, Fire Chief, and a Mason. His mother, Marie (nee Ordway) of Malinta, was known for her cakes and being a Mason's Eastern Star. He is survived by his younger sister Louetta Sue Briner. Bob graduated from Liberty Center High School and went on to earn a Bachelor's in Education, a Masters in School Administration, and an Education Specialist's degree all from Bowling Green State University. He paid his way through school by working summers at The Ohio Dept. of Highways, Creager & Sons Paving, and the WH Blausey Company building Interstate 75. While at BGSU, Bob went on a double blind date with his Pike Fraternity brother and met love of his life Janet (nee Yarolin), an Alpha Xi Delta BGSU student born in Cleveland. They were married and remained in NW Ohio.

In 1957 Bob completed US Army Artillery & Missile School to be a Field Artillery Officer, serving in the Army Reserves from 57-65 when honorably discharged.

Bob was a teacher (History & Government), a coach (Basketball, Football, and Track), a referee (21 years), and an Athletic Director serving Liberty Center, Anthony Wayne and Woodville Local Schools. Beginning in 1966, Bob joined Henry County Schools eventually serving as the County Superintendent for 20 years.

He was a member of many professional organizations such as Buckeye Association of School Admin, American Association of School Admin, Henry County Board of Mental Retardation & Development Disabilities, Ohio Association of School Superintendents, Phi Delta Kappa (Men's Honorary Educational Fraternity), NW Ohio Computer Consortium for School Districts, NW Ohio Special Ed Regional Resource Center, NW Ohio Educational Television Council, and more. He served as Commissioner of the NW Ohio Athletic League for 17 years.

In 1987 he won the Exemplary Leadership Award for the State of Ohio

Socially, Bob belonged to the Elks, Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, Henry Co Farm Bureau, Henry Co Cancer Society, and the Loyal Order of Moose.

Together Bob & Jan had 4 children, Linda, Rich, Carol, and Jennifer- all graduating from Napoleon High School. Linda is a Certified Nurse Practitioner, serving Vets, with 3 children (Erich, Elise, & Eva Numrich) and 1 grandson, Ben. Richard played on the 1981 NHS State Champion Basketball Team, attended BGSU and tragically died in 1982. Carol is a recently retired School Psychologist with 3 children (Molly Pirik, Jake and Trey Ryan). Jennifer is a Certified Human Resource Professional with 1 child (Jazz Williams). Bob lost Janet to COVID in 2021 after 63 years of marriage.

Bob was known to be a prolific gardener selling his produce both at his stand at the Farmer's Market as well as the wagon out front of his home in Anthony Wayne Acres. If it was a fruit or vegetable that could be grown in NW Ohio, then Bob grew it! Bob loved building Model T Fords, watching high school basketball, collecting miniature train sets, and listening to Polka music.

Friends and family will be received at Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, Napoleon on Monday, January 5, 2026, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. Services and interment will be private for the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Henry County Special Olympics, c/o HOPE Services, 135 E. Maumee Ave. Napoleon, OH, 43545. Online condolences may also be left for the family at rodenbergergray.com.