Stephen "Steve" Ross Baker

Stephen "Steve" Ross Baker, passed away after an ongoing battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). With a life as vibrant as it was unconventional, Steve leaves behind an unforgettable legacy.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Steve soon moved to AZ and his childhood was marked by mischief and camaraderie. He formed an inseparable bond with his childhood friends, Randy, Gary, and Tim. Together, they embarked on adventures (some legal). Armed with not one, but two bachelor's degrees in Biology and Computer Science from UC Irvine, Steve wore multiple hats and pursued diverse interests with unyielding passion.

Sports and adrenaline were Steve's true companions. He participated in many activities from skiing and snowboarding (enjoyed by his family) to golf and marathon running (not enjoyed by his family). He flew airplanes, competed in mountain bike races, sailed, surfed and scuba-dived- continually proving that resilience and a touch of audacity were his secret weapons. His zest for exploration included traveling to countless states and countries.

Steve was armed with an irreverent sense of humor and an imagination that knew no bounds. His dry wit, often accompanied by a telltale smirk, could leave you gasping for breath between bouts of laughter. He had a knack for weaving comical narratives, like introducing his daughter as a "hooker", conveniently omitting that it was a rugby position reference. He was curious and an early adopter of any new technology on the market, made clear when his family found the entire history of cellphones in his belongings. In that spirit, they used the newest trend, GhatGPT, to help with crafting this obituary.

Professionally, Steve made a mark as the co-founder and CEO of BusinessGenetics. With a focus on improving communication and operational efficiencies, he tackled corporate challenges with finesse and wisdom, served on the boards of several private and non-profit organizations, co-authored the book "BusinessGenetics" to share his expertise at scale and served as an Adjunct Professor at The Daniels College of Business.

Steve's journey through life was accompanied by his loving wife, Linda, whom he married in an outdoor ceremony in Santa Fe, NM, perfectly timed after a thunderstorm and framed by a rainbow. They had two daughters, Carissa and Kendra, who he adored. He was also a proud grandpawrent to Billi, Daphne, and Guppy.

A celebration of Steve's remarkable life will be held by the family in August, as per his wishes (details to be announced at a later date). In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to CurePSP (psp.org), an organization dedicated to advancing research on PSP. They extend their heartfelt gratitude to the friends and caregivers who supported Steve during his long battle with this disease.