Robert Baker

Robert E. Baker, age 75 of Clovis, NM passed away January 20, 2015 in Lubbock, TX.

Robert will be lying in state Sunday, January 25 from 1:00 until 6:00 PM at the Steed-Todd Funeral Home & Crematory, 800 East Manana Boulevard. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, January 26 at The Steed-Todd Chapel in Clovis.

Robert was born May 16, 1939 in Detroit, MI to Nathan J. Baker and Helen C. Baker (Sevakis).

He graduated from Pershing High School, January 1957. He joined the USAF in Detroit in November, 1957. Robert met his wife (Isabelle Dawn Wallace) in early 1960 while she was in the Royal Air Force in Great Britain. They married in November 1960 in a small church in Thame, Oxfordshire, England. We arranged for an honorable discharge from the RAF before our marriage. Over nine years, between 1960 and 1979, we were in Great Britain. We toured England and Scotland on vacations. We went to Inverness, Scotland and Loch Ness. Went down south to Lands End in Cornwell, England. This is the western most point in England. While there, visited St. Michael's Mount. It jess located on the western coast of Cornwall on an island with a castle dating back over 500 years. Also spent the night on Dart moor, in Devon, England which is the setting for the Sherlock Holmes' novel 'The Hound of the Baskervilles,' based upon a local legend. We left England in 1963 and returned again in 1974. We left England again in 1979 where we were stationed at Cannon AFB in Clovis, NM. This was our last duty station and I retired from the USAF at this location. We had two children, Debra Dawn Baker (Debbie), in August 1961 and Robert Earl James Baker (Rob) in August 1964 (one calendar day later than Debra. Birthdays are next to each other. Debra has given us three grandchildren, Marissa (Rissie), Alexis (Lexi), and Zachary (Zach).

While in the service Robert spent time out of the continental USA in: Hawaii, United Kingdom, Korea, and Thailand (Southeast Asia). He trained in Ground Radio Communications through the entire enlistment and advanced to Chief Master Sergeant (E-9) in May 1978. His decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 6 oak leaf clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Army Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with 5 oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters (3 combat clusters), Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 1 oak leaf cluster, and Republic Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/device Republic Vietnam Campaign Medal. During his services time he taught advanced electronics & AC/DC courses for the overseas college program from Central Texas College, Killen, TX. He earned an Associate in Applied Science degree (Radio Communications Technology) from the Community College of the Air Force. He was awarded First Class Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license Discharged Honorably to Retirement at Cannon AFB in Clovis, NM on July 1, 1982 with 25 years total service.

After retiring Robert worked in Cable TV in Clovis, NM from1982 through 1999 (Midwest Cable TV, McCaw Cable TV, Cooke Cablevision, TCA Cable TV, and Cox Cable TV). He received several awards: Certification of Broadband Communications Technician by the Society of Cable Telecommunications (SCTE), Certification of Broadband Communications Engineer by the Society of Cable Telecommunications (SCTE), Senior Membership in the SCTE, Certificate of Achievement by Siecor for successful completion of "Hands on Fiber Optic Installation, Maintenance and Restoration for Cable TV Applications". Graduated from National Cable Television Institute as a "Fiber Optic Technician". He worked from 1999 to 2001 for Solutions Integrators, LLC designing IT networks, selling computers and peripheral components, and computer equipment and software for special needs individuals. Retired at age 62 in 2001.

Robert joined the Elks (BPOE 1244) in 1983, in Clovis, NM and have been an active member for over 28 years. Life member of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars (VFW), Post 3015 in Clovis, NM. He was a member of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), and are a certified Advanced Open Water Diver. He has dove in many areas around the world including the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, the Pacific Ocean off of Hawaii, some of the great lakes, and many other inland lakes in the USA. He was a scuba diver since 1953 (age 14).

Robert is survived by his wife, Isabelle Dawn Baker; 2 children, Debra Dawn Baker (Debbie) and Robert Earl Baker (Rob); 3 grandchildren, Marissa, Alexis and Zachary

Preceded in death by Helen C. Baker, his mother, and by Nathan J. Baker, his father.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Steed-Todd Funeral Home and Crematory, 800 East Manana Boulevard, Clovis, New Mexico (575) 763-5541.

Visitation

SteedTodd Funeral Home
800 E. Manana
Clovis, NM  88101
Sunday, January 25, 2015
1:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Service

Funeral Service

Steed Todd Chapel
800 E. Manana Blvd
Clovis, NM  88101
Monday, January 26, 2015
11:00 AM