Robert K. Baker of Amelia Island, FL passed away on October 9, 2023. Previously Mr. Baker, known to most as “Bob”, had been a long-time resident of Middletown, NJ, and Bonita Springs, FL.

Born on May 7, 1930 in Hudson Falls, NY to the late Harry Wheeler and Charlotte Carhart
Baker, the youngest of five children, also deceased. Mr. Baker grew up in Hudson Falls and graduated from Hudson Falls High School. He enlisted in the US Army, spending four years in Germany as part of a special intelligence unit, and served honorably until 1957. In 1956, Bob married Jacqueline (Jackie) Kranz, and they remained faithfully devoted to their marriage for 65 years until her passing in 2021.

Bob and Jackie welcomed four children into their home, who remember him as loving and kind, adoring of his wife, hard-working, and intelligent. He could make people comfortable easily as he took a genuine interest in others. Some of the family’s fondest memories are summers at Ship Ahoy Beach Club in Sea Bright, NJ.

He was a graduate of Rutgers University, attended as a newlywed with a growing family to support. Bob spent his career working in the earliest days of computer technology and banking at companies such as Bell Laboratories, EDS, NYSE, Bankers Trust, and Arthur Anderson.

He loved playing tennis with his children and grandchildren and his Bonita Springs and Middletown friends, and spent hours playing golf with some of those same friends. Bob was an accomplished skier as well. He rode his bike to the gym 5 days a week into his 90’s. In these last months of his life, Bob enjoyed watching tennis on TV every chance he got.

He and his wife were members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Middletown, NJ, and St. Leo the Great in Bonita Springs, FL, where he was a Third Degree Knight of Columbus, an activity he loved. He was a long-time usher as well. Prior to his death, Bob attended Mass at St. Francis Catholic Mission in Yulee.

Bob leaves behind his four children, Mary Pat (Brian) Campbell of Amelia Island, Maureen Baker of Paris, France, Kathleen (Peter) Sills of Island Park, NY, and John Baker of Los Angeles, CA, as well as five grandchildren, Brian (Lauren) Campbell, Maggie (Hugo) Pimienta, Courtney Sills, Jared Sills, and Carly Sills. Each grandchild remembers the encouragement he gave to follow their dreams. He treasured moments with his four young great-grandchildren: Eve and Rocco Pimienta, and Warren and Roy Campbell.

The family would like to thank Vivian Paskowski, NP, Lakeside Amelia Living staff, and Community Hospice and Palliative Care for their compassionate and loving care to Mr. Baker, especially in these last months.

Funeral Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Mission on October 23rd, 10 am.

He will be laid to rest with his beloved wife Jackie at Fairview Cemetery, Red Bank, NJ on October 28 at 11am.

No flowers please.