Albert Irish Baker

1951 - 2025

Bert was the eldest of 5 children of Dr. Perren and Jean (Irish) Baker, both Canadians. Born in Rochester, MN where his father was training to become an orthopedist, his family moved first to Calgary, Alberta and then to Modesto CA in the mid-1950s. Bert lived in Modesto for more than 20 years.

Ever on the move, Bert was educated in Portland, OR did parasitology research in Bogatá, Colombia, lived in Texas and Mexico in the early 80s and finally settled down in Fresno, CA where he lived for almost 40 years. Educated as a chemist, he opened his own company, Waste Water Management Int'l. in the early 90's. He was intrigued by the chemistry of reducing chemical and biological waste to its smallest component to protect the environment. However, his last job at Madera HS was his favorite; fluent in Spanish he taught Science in Spanish from 1999-2012. He loved working with the ESL student population.

An avid athlete in his youth, Bert enjoyed baseball, polo, football, skiing, and wrestling. As a student at Lewis and Clarke he became a black belt in Aikido, and taught youth and adults. In midlife he learned how to skate (mostly) and joined an adult hockey team.

A born raconteur, lover of music and people, he captivated friends and acquaintances with stories of his travels and exploits. He played the guitar and sang in his beautiful baritone/tenor, sang in church choirs in California and Idaho. A born farmer, he raised bees, planted hundreds of orange and other fruit trees and played in the dirt. However, his main passion remained fishing - whenever he could find a rod and someone with a boat. When he got older, his idea of perfect exercise was walking towards any stream where he could fish.

In 2017 Bert and wife Margaret moved to the Treasure Valley where they joined his three brothers and their spouses, who had relocated. He was able to have a few more years of hunting and fishing and fun with his family.

Bert will be sadly missed by his family. He leaves behind his wife Margaret Andrade Baker, siblings Perren (Marie), Kirk, Fred (Robin) and Corrine Zoecklein (Bruce); in-laws Nick Andrade, Liz Andrade (George), Helen Checketts, Uncle Fane MacLennan Pike; Bell cousins Pamela, Peri, and Heather in Mississippi and Wendy Bloomer and Kirstie Lewis in England, nephews Perren A Baker (Annie), Brice Zoecklein (Michelle), Stephen Andrade, Matthew Checketts (Fiona), Andrew Checketts (Caroline), Paul Checketts (Rose) and nieces Mandy Powell, Ruth Andrade Farrow (Todd), Elena Andrade, Elspeth Checketts and many grandnieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held Mon. Feb. 17 at Hope Lutheran Church, Eagle, Idaho. In lieu of flowers please donate to Hope Lutheran Church of Eagle, Idaho, or to your local Food Bank.