Dr. Benjamin Rives Baker

1928 - 2017

KINSTON – Dr. Benjamin Rives Baker, 89, died Friday, November 10, 2017 in Greensboro. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, where he was a member, 800 Rountree St., Kinston. Dr. Baker was born on July 25, 1928 in Durham, son of the late Newell Edward and Edith Rives Baker. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1945, ranking as a Corporal in U.S. Army Special Services, Medical Corp. He received a BA from Guilford College, Masters of Education and Doctor of Dental Surgery from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1952, Masters of Science, Pedodontics from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1964 and certificate from Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic in 1965. Among many honors and organizations Ben was a proud part of, he was especially proud to be the President and Founder of the N.C. Pedodontic Society, President of the N.C. Society of Dentistry for Children, he served two three-year terms as Chairman of the N.C. State Board of Dental Examiners and as the President from 1975-76. He had many articles published for the Dental Auxiliary Utilization. He coauthored two UNC Press correspondence textbooks and was a contributing author of a third. As a young man, Ben traveled to Maine to work as a camp counselor at Camp Winona. He went on to coach the high school football and basketball teams in Liberty, N.C, also working as the Recreational Director of the City of Liberty in 1952-53. His coaching continued at his alma mater Guilford College, where he was head golf coach, assistant football coach, and assistant professor of Physical Education from 1953-57. After receiving his DDS, he served in many capacities at UNC-Chapel Hill; as an instructor of Pedodontics (1961-62), assistant professor (1964-68) and visiting professor (1968-72). He also worked closely with UNC's Dental Auxiliary Teacher Education Degree Program, both as the Director (1967- 68) and as a consultant (1968-71). He also served as a consultant to the UNC Graduate Program of Pedodontics (1970-71). He maintained a private practice of Pedodontics in Kinston from 1968 until he retired. He was a Rotary Fellow, a member of American College of Dentists, Director of The Kinston Chamber of Commerce for six years, Chairman of the Lenoir County Board of Health for nine years. He served on the Vestry at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, and was involved with their Soup Kitchen. Ben enjoyed many years of travel with his fellow study club group. In his prime of life he could often be found playing golf at Kinston Country Club where he was a longtime member. He was an excellent golfer, scoring four holes-in-one during his lifetime. He was a great story teller and history buff. Ben was loved dearly by his children and grandchildren, other family members and friends. He will be greatly missed. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings, Janet Baker Sojka, Newell Edward Baker, Jr., Chester Pollard Baker, Edith Baker Rudder and William Douglas Baker. Survivors include his son, Drury Penn Baker and wife Lisa of Greensboro; daughter, Mary Bennett Riddick and husband Al of Charlotte; grandchildren, Carmen and Madeline Baker, and Charlie and Katie Gray Riddick; brother, Mack Stuart Baker and wife Eleanor of Greensboro; sister-in-law Frances Baker of Enterprise, MS; brother-in-law John Rudder of Raleigh; sister-in-law Becky Baker of Asheville; many nieces and nephews; wife, Elizabeth M. Baker and stepsons, Patrick Philyaw, and David Philyaw and wife Ashley. Memorials may be made in his name for the Rector's Discretionary Fund to St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 800 Rountree St., Kinston, NC, 28501. Online condolences may be offered at forbisanddick.com. Arrangements are by Forbis and Dick Funeral Home, Greensboro. Sign the guest book at kinston.com