Robert Eugene “Bob” Baker, 86, passed away on December 6, 2017 at his home in Weston, MO, surrounded by his family. He was born in Leavenworth, KS on June 15, 1931 to Lena Belle (Oliver) and Richard McKinley Baker.
Bob spent his early years growing up in Leavenworth and served as an altar boy at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Due to his mother’s illness, he resided with the Lewis Family in Leavenworth and then later lived with his best friend, Walter “Bud” Searcy, who were both raised by Uncle Carl Oliver in Beverly, MO. He graduated from Weston High School in 1949 and also attended Northwest Missouri University in Maryville, MO.
He was united in marriage to Donna Dean Harpst on December 24, 1949, and they were blessed with 5 children.
Bob worked as a Chemist in the Research Lab at Cook Paint & Varnish Company in Kansas City for 36 years, retiring in 1990. He also worked part-time at Beverly Lumber Company in Beverly and also built custom homes with his friend and partner, Robert “Bud” Humes.
He served on the Weston City Council and Weston Planning & Zoning Commission for several years, overseeing the construction of the first Weston Police Station, Water Plant, Fire Station and downtown City Park.
Bob was a member of the Weston Masonic Lodge #53 A.F. & A.M. where he received his 50 year membership pin and also the Moila Shrine Club in St. Joseph, where he was a member of the El Tigres group and enjoyed attending Shriner conventions throughout the Central Region.
He was instrumental in planning his 65th Class Reunion along with friends Margaret Rutherford Cockrill and Charlotte Vandrell Miller and more recent outings with friends and classmates at Weston Bend State Park and the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum in Leavenworth, KS. He also enjoyed attending the Missouri State Fair every year with his granddaughter, Samantha.
He is survived by his daughters Cindy (Rick) Hill of Beverly, Tammy (Ron) Sprinkle of Oviedo, FL and sons Robert L. (Delores) Baker, Bill Baker and Brady (Margo) Baker of Weston.
Also surviving are grandchildren Jason (Melissa) Hill, Justin (Whitney) Hill, Jared (Hayley) Hill, Cody Baker, Carrie Baker Spears, Kelly Baker, Jenifer (Mike) Sprinkle McCreight, Ashley Sprinkle and Samantha Jo Baker and great-grandchildren Cydney Spears, Caiden Spears, Clara Hill, Ella Hill and Waylon Hill.
He is also survived by brother-In-law Kenneth (Patty) Harpst and sister-in-law Louise (John) Jackson and several nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sisters Elsie Elmerine Beauchamp, Laura Jeannette Mitchell; brother Carl Richard Baker and twin Edward Lee Baker.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 9th from 1:30-3pm at Vaughn Funeral Home in Weston, followed by funeral service at 3pm, with burial at Graceland Cemetery in Weston. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children or Kansas City Hospice.
Saturday, December 09, 2017
3:00 PM