Richard Bruce Baker's Obituary
Richard Baker was born in Tacoma Washington on August 13, 1932 to Russell and Lucile Baker. As the second son of 4 boys, following his big brother Tom around, there were many adventures in a neighborhood full of boys in southwest Tacoma. Discovering golf at the age of 12, he found the first love of his life when he found a sport that challenged him physically and mentally. Dick graduated from Stadium High School where he was such a good golfer that he won the state championship in 1950 and went to Virginia to play in the National Championships. Upon graduation, he attended the University of Puget Sound for 1-1/2 years before being drafted into the Navy and serving aboard the USS Essex during the Korean War. Upon his discharge, he returned to UPS and decided to get serious with Janice Jacot, the second great love of his life. They were married in 1955 and Dick began a long career with the New York Life Insurance Company in Tacoma. After Kathy and Ed were born in Tacoma, the family moved to Everett for his work and then to the Yakima office where he worked for 15 years. Making the blessed decision to live in Selah, Washington, the family found a family community home that grew as Lori and Cindy came along. Dick was promoted in 1976 and the family moved to Kent Washington, where they remained for the next 46 years. Living in Kent allowed him to take loving care of his parents as they aged in Tacoma and he was a blessing to them. Dick retired after 38 years with NYL and continued his lifelong love with golf by working at Druids Glen golf course where he was so excited when he “shot his age” at 76! In 2012, 2 years after losing Jan to cancer, he met the third and last love of his life when he met, courted and married Alice Pohl. He and Alice had 10 wonderful years together, traveling, entertaining and loving on their families before his passing on November 18, 2022.
Dick was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Tacoma, Everett, Yakima and Kent, where he served in many leadership and support positions throughout his life.
Dick is survived by his wife, Alice Pohl, her sons Eugene (Patricia) and Chris, his brothers Robert (Judy) and Paul (Abby) and his children Kathy Pratt (Dick), Ed Baker (Susan), Lori Budworth, and Cindy Seims (Rob) as well as 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
2 Timothy 4:7 -I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the charity of your choice.
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