WINDSOR - Robert "Bob" Baker, 89, passed peacefully on Dec. 11, 2010, while in hospice care at the Togus VA Medical Center in Chelsea. Robert was born in Lima, Ill., on Feb. 23, 1921. Bob was a son of the late Dewey and Nina (St. John). He grew up in Lima with his four brothers, William, Richard, Burleigh and Daniel. He married Dorothy Dow Baker of Windsor on May 5, 1945, and they resided in Windsor for 63 years.
Bob proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a Pearl Harbor survivor.
He often told a thrilling story of his experiences at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese bombers and submarines attacked the American fleet. He was an electrician, second class, on a battle ship and was on duty on a deck that was below the waterline. Bob was knocked down and unconscious when the torpedoes hit. He was carried to the main deck of the ship by fellow soldiers. He recovered when the battle was raging around him. He ran to the side of the ship where he found a hawser that was tied to a battleship and going hand over hand in a sea of burning oil, he reached the other ship and safety. Following a historical review, the ship was awarded the U.S. Navy Cross for 22 engagements with the enemy. He later served aboard the destroyer USS Lamson during the battles at Coral Sea and Midway, as well as the destroyer USS Taylor. He met his future wife, Dorothy, while the USS Taylor was docked in Bath.
While serving in the U.S. Navy, Bob was awarded the Purple Heart, Navy Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Citation with 18 battle stars, North African Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal with oak cluster, Philippine Liberation Medal, North American Defense Medal, Air force Military Academy Medal, Air Force Longevity Medal and a commemorative medal given to the survivors of Pearl Harbor.
Bob had been employed at Camp Keys in Augusta for 22 years. He was a member of the Windsor Memorial Baptist Church.
Bob was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy; and his brothers, William, Richard and Burleigh.
He is survived by his son, Dewey T. Baker, and his daughter-in-law, Judy, of Windsor; and his brother, Daniel E. Baker and sister-in-law, Dorothy, of Laughlin, Nev. He was "Grampa Bob" to two grandchildren, Lisa Glidden, and her husband, Avery, and Rob Baker; seven great-grandchildren, Brooke, Nicole, Abigail, Brock and Boe Glidden, and Alec and Isaac Baker. He also leaves several nieces and nephews.
Burial will be held in the spring in Rest Haven Cemetery, Route 32, Windsor. (Kennebec Journal 12/15/2010)
Bob proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a Pearl Harbor survivor.
He often told a thrilling story of his experiences at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese bombers and submarines attacked the American fleet. He was an electrician, second class, on a battle ship and was on duty on a deck that was below the waterline. Bob was knocked down and unconscious when the torpedoes hit. He was carried to the main deck of the ship by fellow soldiers. He recovered when the battle was raging around him. He ran to the side of the ship where he found a hawser that was tied to a battleship and going hand over hand in a sea of burning oil, he reached the other ship and safety. Following a historical review, the ship was awarded the U.S. Navy Cross for 22 engagements with the enemy. He later served aboard the destroyer USS Lamson during the battles at Coral Sea and Midway, as well as the destroyer USS Taylor. He met his future wife, Dorothy, while the USS Taylor was docked in Bath.
While serving in the U.S. Navy, Bob was awarded the Purple Heart, Navy Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Citation with 18 battle stars, North African Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal with oak cluster, Philippine Liberation Medal, North American Defense Medal, Air force Military Academy Medal, Air Force Longevity Medal and a commemorative medal given to the survivors of Pearl Harbor.
Bob had been employed at Camp Keys in Augusta for 22 years. He was a member of the Windsor Memorial Baptist Church.
Bob was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy; and his brothers, William, Richard and Burleigh.
He is survived by his son, Dewey T. Baker, and his daughter-in-law, Judy, of Windsor; and his brother, Daniel E. Baker and sister-in-law, Dorothy, of Laughlin, Nev. He was "Grampa Bob" to two grandchildren, Lisa Glidden, and her husband, Avery, and Rob Baker; seven great-grandchildren, Brooke, Nicole, Abigail, Brock and Boe Glidden, and Alec and Isaac Baker. He also leaves several nieces and nephews.
Burial will be held in the spring in Rest Haven Cemetery, Route 32, Windsor. (Kennebec Journal 12/15/2010)
WINDSOR - Robert "Bob" Baker, 89, passed peacefully on Dec. 11, 2010, while in hospice care at the Togus VA Medical Center in Chelsea. Robert was born in Lima, Ill., on Feb. 23, 1921. Bob was a son of the late Dewey and Nina (St. John). He grew up in Lima with his four brothers, William, Richard, Burleigh and Daniel. He married Dorothy Dow Baker of Windsor on May 5, 1945, and they resided in Windsor for 63 years.
Bob proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a Pearl Harbor survivor.
He often told a thrilling story of his experiences at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese bombers and submarines attacked the American fleet. He was an electrician, second class, on a battle ship and was on duty on a deck that was below the waterline. Bob was knocked down and unconscious when the torpedoes hit. He was carried to the main deck of the ship by fellow soldiers. He recovered when the battle was raging around him. He ran to the side of the ship where he found a hawser that was tied to a battleship and going hand over hand in a sea of burning oil, he reached the other ship and safety. Following a historical review, the ship was awarded the U.S. Navy Cross for 22 engagements with the enemy. He later served aboard the destroyer USS Lamson during the battles at Coral Sea and Midway, as well as the destroyer USS Taylor. He met his future wife, Dorothy, while the USS Taylor was docked in Bath.
While serving in the U.S. Navy, Bob was awarded the Purple Heart, Navy Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Citation with 18 battle stars, North African Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal with oak cluster, Philippine Liberation Medal, North American Defense Medal, Air force Military Academy Medal, Air Force Longevity Medal and a commemorative medal given to the survivors of Pearl Harbor.
Bob had been employed at Camp Keys in Augusta for 22 years. He was a member of the Windsor Memorial Baptist Church.
Bob was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy; and his brothers, William, Richard and Burleigh.
He is survived by his son, Dewey T. Baker, and his daughter-in-law, Judy, of Windsor; and his brother, Daniel E. Baker and sister-in-law, Dorothy, of Laughlin, Nev. He was "Grampa Bob" to two grandchildren, Lisa Glidden, and her husband, Avery, and Rob Baker; seven great-grandchildren, Brooke, Nicole, Abigail, Brock and Boe Glidden, and Alec and Isaac Baker. He also leaves several nieces and nephews.
Burial will be held in the spring in Rest Haven Cemetery, Route 32, Windsor. (Kennebec Journal 12/15/2010)
Bob proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a Pearl Harbor survivor.
He often told a thrilling story of his experiences at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese bombers and submarines attacked the American fleet. He was an electrician, second class, on a battle ship and was on duty on a deck that was below the waterline. Bob was knocked down and unconscious when the torpedoes hit. He was carried to the main deck of the ship by fellow soldiers. He recovered when the battle was raging around him. He ran to the side of the ship where he found a hawser that was tied to a battleship and going hand over hand in a sea of burning oil, he reached the other ship and safety. Following a historical review, the ship was awarded the U.S. Navy Cross for 22 engagements with the enemy. He later served aboard the destroyer USS Lamson during the battles at Coral Sea and Midway, as well as the destroyer USS Taylor. He met his future wife, Dorothy, while the USS Taylor was docked in Bath.
While serving in the U.S. Navy, Bob was awarded the Purple Heart, Navy Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Citation with 18 battle stars, North African Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal with oak cluster, Philippine Liberation Medal, North American Defense Medal, Air force Military Academy Medal, Air Force Longevity Medal and a commemorative medal given to the survivors of Pearl Harbor.
Bob had been employed at Camp Keys in Augusta for 22 years. He was a member of the Windsor Memorial Baptist Church.
Bob was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy; and his brothers, William, Richard and Burleigh.
He is survived by his son, Dewey T. Baker, and his daughter-in-law, Judy, of Windsor; and his brother, Daniel E. Baker and sister-in-law, Dorothy, of Laughlin, Nev. He was "Grampa Bob" to two grandchildren, Lisa Glidden, and her husband, Avery, and Rob Baker; seven great-grandchildren, Brooke, Nicole, Abigail, Brock and Boe Glidden, and Alec and Isaac Baker. He also leaves several nieces and nephews.
Burial will be held in the spring in Rest Haven Cemetery, Route 32, Windsor. (Kennebec Journal 12/15/2010)
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