Phillip J. Baker

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Indiana State University University of Wisconsin

Phillip Baker Obituary

Phillip J. Baker

Aug. 21, 1935 - Aug. 6, 2023

KENSINGTON, MD - Phillip J. Baker, 87, of Kensington, passed away on August 6, 2023 at Stella Maris Hospice in Timonium. He was the loving husband of Patricia (Denny) Baker (deceased), together they shared 52 years of marriage.

Phillip was born in East Chicago, IN on August 21, 1935 and was the son of the late John and Elizabeth (Vadas) Baker. He served in the US Army Medical Corps (Sp/3) from 1956 to 1957 before heading to college. He received his BA from Indiana State University in 1960 and his Masters and PhD in Bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1962 and 1965.

After college Phillip started a long career at the National Institutes of Health beginning with his postdoctoral training at the Laboratory of Immunology at NIAID (2 years), joining the NIAID research staff (10 years), and eventually becoming Head of the Microbiology and Immunology Section of the Laboratory of Microbial Immunity (16 years). After working for 28 years in the lab, Phillip moved over to program management to be the program officer for the General Vaccine Research, Vector Borne/Zoonotic Bacterial Diseases, Lyme Disease and Anthrax Basic Research, Clinical Studies on Chronic Lyme Disease, and Non-Human Primate Models on Research on Chronic Lyme Disease programs (14 years). He retired from the NIH after 42 years of service and became the Executive Director of the American Lyme Disease Foundation (15 years). He was also the Editor for the American Society for Microbiology News (8 years) and Editor for the Emerging Infectious Diseases (15+ years).

Phillip authored or co-authored 140 scientific publications over his career. He also received several awards including the NIH Director's Award (1976 & 2002), NIAID Special Recognition Award (1995 & 2001), NIH Group Merit Award (2000), DMID Director's Award (2003), and the NIAID Special Act or Service Award (2004 & 2006).

Phillip was a long time member of Holy Redeemer Church in Kensington, MD. He enjoyed gardening, computer painting, music, and keeping up with the many events and achievements of his six grandchildren. Phillip is survived by his children Christopher Baker and wife Karen, and Elizabeth Roberts and husband Reid; and his grandchildren: Stephen, Kathryn, Kyli, Gracesyn, Maria, and Ryan. Phillip is also survived by his sisters Joan Baker, Dolores Saczawa and husband Ray, and Jeanne Baker.

The family will hold a private service.

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

Published by The Times on Aug. 16, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Phillip Baker

5 Entries

Sukanya Narasimhan

August 10, 2025

Dr. Baker's thoughtful insights and kindness will always be remembered. His guidance as I navigated the NIH grant procedures were immensely helpful. My prayers are with the family as we mark the first anniversary of his passing,

sincerely
Sukanya

William Jukich

August 22, 2023

Phillip,
Thanks for your service to our Country & U.S. Army. May you rest in peace Brother.

Maj. William Jukich
United States Marine Corps (Retired).
Harrier Attack Pilot from Northwest Indiana.
Semper Fi

Sukanya Narasimhan

August 20, 2023

I received my first NIAID grant in 2004 when Dr. Baker was in charge, and I am forever grateful to him . I was humbled by his kindness, sincerity and words of encouragement during difficult grant submission times. I read more about his achievements when he retired from NIAID and now as friends and colleagues have revealed new insights into Dr. Baker's graciousness and generosity. I have indeed lost the opportunity to meet him in-person, but the memory of his kindness will remain with me always.
My prayers are with the family and may his memories bring comfort to his family and friends,

Prayerfully
Sukanya

Sam Perdue

August 20, 2023

I worked with Phil for the final 5 years of his NIH career, and I owe him for giving me a research portfolio that I have enjoyed for 21 years. In short I owe him for the best job I've ever had. There is not space here to adequately express what he meant to the research community, both as a scientist himself and as an advocate for those he assisted as a program officer and even after his retirement. He was a wonderful person, a fierce champion for good science, and a dear collegue and friend.

Kathleen Young

August 16, 2023

My family and I would see Phil every Saturday evening for Mass at Holy Redeemer. It seems like it was just a few weeks ago we last greeted each other. I'm so very sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man, and so humble. He never talked about his impressive career at NIH. We shared a love of greyhounds and gardening. I still have some of his beautiful cards with scenes from Harpers Ferry he shared several years ago. With sincere sympathy, The Young family of Kensington

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