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Richard Baker Obituary
Norfolk - Richard Ball Baker passed away on April 2, 2013. He was a lifelong resident of Chesapeake and Norfolk. He is survived by Dana, his children, Alexandria Grace Baker, Richard Lee Baker, Catherine Dyer Baker, his brothers, Dr. Edwin L. Baker III and Dr. William Powell Baker and their wives Dianna and Amy, numerous Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and good friends.
Richard was a graduate of Norfolk Collegiate School, The Virginia Military Institute, with Distinction and the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary. Richard practiced law from Norfolk in all of the surrounding localities. He loved being in the courtroom. He was a devoted member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church where he served on the vestry, as Junior warden and on the outreach committee. He was a member of the Norfolk-Portsmouth bar association and the Virginia State Bar. He was a member of the Norfolk Yacht and Country club and the Norfolk Assembly. He served as class agent for his 1984 VMI class and as the Tidewater representative on the VMI alumni association. He also served as Vice Chair and Chairman of Norfolk's International Azalea Festival. Richard loved fishing especially on the Outer Banks a passion which he passed on to his son, Lee.
Richard immensely enjoyed quietly helping those less fortunate in need. A celebration of Richard's life will take place at a memorial service at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 201 St. Paul's Boulevard, Norfolk, VA. 23510, on Sunday April 7, 2013 at 1:00pm. The Reverent Scott Hennessey will preside. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Paul's Episcopal Church Endowment Fund.
H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Norfolk Chapel is handling arrangements and online condolences may be offered to the family at hdoliver.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Baker
Sam Browne
March 30, 2022
BR, As we mark another year without you, I am heartened by the legacy you left behind. I cherish a picture we took - I believe it was at our 5 or 10 year reunion. Rest Easy BR.
Cindy Reasoner
April 30, 2013
I just learned of Rich's passing. He was a good friend of mine many years ago. I have fond memories of him, including his humor, integrity and southern charm. Praying for continued strength and peace for you and your children.
Cindy Reasoner
John Minehan
April 23, 2013
Mrs. Baker, I am very sorry to hear of you and your children's loss. I attended VMI with your husband and I learned a lot from him. He was the kind of man with whose conclusions you might not agree with, but you had to admire his reasoning and the depth of his beliefs.
I am not surprised that he became a great lawyer, he had the intelligence and (far more importantly) the strong core beliefs to be such.
My thought and prayers are with you and your family.
John Minehan
David Devine
April 20, 2013
I will always think of Richard as the true friend he was. He has left an immense void in all our lives. My prayers are with you, Dana, and the children.
The Bakers
April 19, 2013
Yvette Sparrow
April 15, 2013
Dana, my heart goes out to you and your family. Take care.
James & Marian Ragsdale
April 10, 2013
Dana,
Marian and I were stunned to hear such news. We were reminiscing about how wonderful you and Richard were to us when we were expecting James, III. You guys put on the best Baby Shower ever for us! It is so hard to lose anyone, but especially one you are as fond of as we were of Richard. Our hearts go out to you and the children, and we pray for you to be lifted up by God and carried through this difficult time. Love, James & Marian Ragsdale
teresa daniels
April 9, 2013
I am very sorry for your family's loss. Pediatric specialists wants you to know our prayers are with you and your family.
Nancy Gossett Dove
April 9, 2013
Dana, I love you and the children so dearly. I am so deeply sorry for your loss. All my love and prayers are with you. ~Nancy
Keith Buckley
April 9, 2013
Dana:
I too am very saddened to hear that another Brother Rat has passed away at such a young age. Please accept my prayers and condolences.
Mercy Sullivan
April 8, 2013
Dana,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the children in this difficult time. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help out, even if it's just to chat...
Dona Detamore
April 8, 2013
Please know that God will lift you and listen in your time of need God Bless Dona St. Paul's
Robert Doyle
April 7, 2013
Dear Mrs. Baker and family,
I am very saddened to hear of Richard's passing. He was a good friend and classmate of mine at VMI. He brought great joy to many people and he will be sadly missed. My prayers are with you and your family during these difficult times.
Bob Doyle, VMI '84
samuel browne
April 7, 2013
Dana and family,
I am saddened to hear of Richard's passing. Please accept my condolences.
Sam Browne VMI '84
Robin Morrison
April 7, 2013
Dana, sending thoughts and prayers to you and your precious kids. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Jeanette Leudesdorff
April 7, 2013
Dana, I am heartbroken to hear of your family's loss. You have many friends as well as a close family. They, and God, will help you during the difficult time ahead. Stay strong for your children--they need you now.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Natalie Kinney
April 7, 2013
Dana I am extending my deepest sympathy and condolences to you and your family. May you find strength and comfort during this difficult time. Sincerely,
Natalie & Family
Bob Jones
April 7, 2013
My heart is deeply saddened to hear of your loss....All who knew Rich lost a truly good man who exhibited such a kind and giving heart. Your entire family is in my prayers.
Bob Jones, VMI'84
April 7, 2013
Dana, All of our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Brian Hess
April 6, 2013
Dana and family,
Richard was a great friend, great lawyer and a great Brother Rat. In addition to having gone to VMI with Richard, I worked with him on a few cases over the years. He was so very talented and wonderful to work with. I will miss him very much. You have my most sincere condolences.
Jamie Shoemaker VMI '84
William Prince
April 6, 2013
I offer my sympathy to Richard's Family. He and I practiced law with the Williams firm in the 1980s. He was a wonderful person. I am in Boston and will not return to Norfolk until Tuesday.
Lee Gooch
April 6, 2013
Dear Mrs. Baker and family,
I was so saddened to hear of Rich's passing. He was a friend and classmate of mine at VMI. I will always remember him for his wonderful upbeat personality, his sense of honor and his integrity. My prayers are with you and your family during these difficult times.
Lee Gooch, VMI '84
Amy Lee
April 6, 2013
Dana, My thoughts and prayers are with you & your children. Be assured that God will see you through this difficult time.
Amy
Kathy Shelton
April 6, 2013
Dana,
My heart aches for you and your three beautiful children. I wish there was something that we could do to ease the pain and loss I know you are all feeling. You all are in our hearts and prayers tonight as I know you are in the hearts and prayers of so many people who love you all. I hope that you can take strength from this community that holds your family so dear.
Peace be with you and your children.
Grace Baker
April 5, 2013
Thank you to everyone who has shown such amazing support during this time of loss for my family. The cards, flowers, visits, and food have truly shown us how much we are loved. It has been amazing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Tom Graham
April 5, 2013
I'm another VMI class of 1984 member who is stunned with this news. Richard was a great guy and a model cadet, brother rat, and friend. He leaves a lasting legacy with his wonderful family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this trying time. I feel privileged to have been a friend.
Joyce Tye Siegel
April 5, 2013
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Richard grew up across the street from my family on Centerville Turnpike. I have many fond memories of him. God Bless
Beverly Vincent
April 5, 2013
Dana
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time.......
Susan Motley
April 5, 2013
Dana,
Andrew and I have you and your family in our hearts and in our prayers.
Craig Peacock
April 5, 2013
Dana,
I was saddened to hear of your loss and our Brother Rat. Richard was an outstanding man, and will be sorely missed by all of us. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
God bless,
Joan Redfearn
April 5, 2013
Dana,
You have a large community of support. You and the children are loved deeply by so many that are willing to help during this very difficult time and beyond. Always know that we are all here for you and the kids in every possible way.
I am lifting you up to the LORD in prayer. I am thankful that God brought us together.
- Joan
Theresa Earles
April 5, 2013
Dana,
My heart aches for your loss. I'm praying for your family.
Stacy Hurt
April 5, 2013
Dana, Billy and I would like to offer our deepest condolences. We are so very sad. Sending prayers for you and your precious children.
Amy Clowdsley
April 5, 2013
Dana,
I am heartbroken for you and the kids. you all will be in my thoughts. Please give Catherine big hugs from Benjamin and I. I am so sorry for this loss.
Amy
Sally Dudley
April 5, 2013
Dana,
Thinking of you and your children with prayers for strength, peace and hope during this time of sadness and grief. xxoo
Julie Bernheisel
April 5, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Dana....
April 5, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with Dana and the children. Richard and I were friends back in the VMI days. He was a funny, kind and gracious man. May the Lord bless you and your family in the time of sorrow. - Carl V. Romano, VMI '84
Katie Castano
April 5, 2013
Dear Dana and children.....I am so sorry for your loss during this difficult time.
Jane Cole
April 5, 2013
Dana, sending you and your children prayers for peace at this difficult time.
April 5, 2013
Dana and Family:
There are no words to express my deep sadness for you at this very difficult time. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Traci Galyean
Willow Woods
April 5, 2013
Dana, Mom and Dad,
you all have my deepest sympathy. You are in my prayers. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Ken Gill
April 5, 2013
Mrs. Baker,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Richard was a friend and classmate of mine at VMI. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
April 5, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your children. Teresa Butler
Robin Pruitt Devine
April 5, 2013
Dana,
Sending thoughts and prayers to you and your children during this difficult time. Peace be with you.
Josh Stephens
April 5, 2013
Dear Baker Family,
Your friends over at St. Andrew's will be praying for you all in this difficult time.... Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Josh Stephens
April 5, 2013
Dana, we will miss Richard's presence. We are sorry for your loss. As a cadet, I remember his quick wit and the grin that followed. I know he was a dedicated father, husband, and good friend to Andy. We will pray for your family and his friends.
Jerome Brinkley VMI '84
Betsy Blalock
April 5, 2013
Dana,
I am so very sorry for all you and the kids are going through right now. Sending love to you all and a prayer for God to guide you on the difficult journey ahead. Love, Betsy
Debbie Bonnewell
April 5, 2013
Dana, There are no words to say except I am so sorry for your loss. You and your darling children are in my prayers. If you need anything, please call anytime at all.
April 5, 2013
Dana, there are no words. We are so sorrowful for you and the children. You and the children are in our prayers. Teresa and Page Jett
Sandy Batchelor
April 5, 2013
Dana,
My heart is with you, your beautiful childen and family.
Sandy Batchelor
Randy Semones
April 5, 2013
Dana, My heart goes out to you and the children. No words can express my sorrow for you the children and Richard when I heard the news today. You are in my prayers and thoughts.
Kristen McMahan
April 5, 2013
My heart goes out to you and your loved ones. Be blessed.
Janet Papson
April 4, 2013
Dana,
I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Janet
April 4, 2013
Dana,
We are thinking of you and the kids. We are so sorry.
Linda and Gary Brown
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