ROBERT GEORGE BAKER JR.

               1944 - 2015

 

A natural leader with a most charismatic personality, Robert always found the good in everyone.  He was a true entrepreneur throughout his whole life.  Rather than agree with “It can’t be done”, Robert’s approach was: “Let’s find a way.”  He was a treasure to be with and work with.

 

Robert George Baker Jr.’s life began on Christmas Day in 1944 in Belleville, MI where he was born to Robert & Mildred Baker. On April 16, 2015 Robert’s life came to a sudden end during a tragic accident involving his motorcycle at 9:42am.  He grew up in Belleville and was the oldest of three children, including his brother (Jim) and sister (Joan). He attended Michigan State University receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. Robert was a proud member of the famous Michigan State Marching Band, playing the trombone which brought him great pride throughout the duration of his life. Robert married at the age of 25 and began to grow his family with the birth of his daughter Natasha in 1971. He then had two boys - Robert George III in 1977, and Christopher in 1980 - and being the adventurous man that he was, he packed up his family in 1981 and moved across the country to Southern California where his daughter Stephanie was born in 1983. His first wife, Nina, passed away at the young age of 38 after giving Robert four children who he adored and made countless sacrifices for in the years following the death of their mother. While running a small Computer Programming business as the sole provider for his family, Robert also single handedly raised his two daughters and two sons for nearly 11 years prior to marrying again. In 1991, Robert attended his 30th high school class reunion in Belleville, MI where he reunited with a female friend named Sharon who he quickly connected with and courted in a long distance manner for two years prior to convincing her to move across the country, blending their two families through marriage in 1994. Sharon also had four children, two of which were living at home at the time of marrying Robert, which gave him an opportunity to father a total of six children in his lifetime.

 

In 2003 Robert’s father passed away, and left his airplane (Cessna 185) to Robert.  It was an incentive at 59 years old to take another swing at the bucket list.  He secured his pilot’s license and with help of a close friend, flew the plane from Detroit to Orange County.  He then became a member of the Southern California Pilots association, becoming their Vice President.  He was also president of the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 92 and developed a passion for the Young Eagles, whose mission is introducing young people (8-17) to aviation.  At times he would gather as many as 20 small planes and pilots, all volunteers,  and fashion a 3-4 hour tutorial including actual flights for the kids.   His vision and boundless enthusiasm will be sorely missed.  These events are still current and events are planned 4-6 times per year.   Because he was so passionate about this, he formed a scholarship program to give young aspiring aviators an opportunity to follow their dreams with financial assistance that was provided to them through this foundation to help them attain their pilot’s license.   His trips and adventures are countless, and he would rally to fly or teach aviation anytime he could. 

 

But he had another passion: motorcycling.  With a Cruiser Harley Davidson Ultra Glide he was instrumental in forming The Coto Riders motorcycle association.  This became an eclectic group of riders throughout Coto de Caza and Orange County with 85 members. He built a web page and helped publish a monthly newsletter describing their adventures with pictures and comments.     They participated in 4th of July parades and frequently veteran’s activities and were very active in local charity events.    His wife, Sharon, got her license and her own bike and joined Robert and the members on countless rides and adventures.  The were active members of the Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club with a talent for tennis both as a team and separately.  Together they held annual Coto Rider’s Christmas events on the Club’s outdoor patio with several motorcycles on display.  During a ride in October 2003 the group noticed the fires in Temecula.  They organized a “CLOTHES FROM COTO” campaign, and the response was overwhelming.   Two of the four-car garages were filled four times with donations.  If you knew Robert, this was not that surprising; he was a true giver.

 

In his lifetime, Robert demonstrated a tremendous amount of generosity and sacrifice in countless ways. He was a man full of passion and enthusiasm for life, and he was always seeking opportunities to enjoy the activities that he loved, while also innovating ideas for ways that he could give back and share with others to help optimize their lives. This common theme of giving that Robert portrayed in his 70 years on earth was greatly motivated by his love for the Lord and his commitment to serving Him in every way possible. As an active member at Saddleback Church for 24 years, Robert’s faith remained strong and he touched many lives including those of his four children by introducing them to our Heavenly Father and Savior. It is because of that faith that Robert’s loved ones who are left behind to mourn his death have amounts of joy and comfort knowing that they will one day be reunited with him in Heaven, where Robert’s soul now has a permanent residence. 

 

Robert is survived by his wife Sharon (70) of 20 years, his daughters, Natasha Brunstetter (43) & Stephanie Jacobson (31), sons, Robert (38) and Christopher (34); also his step-daughters Jamie Riggs (38), Kristin Black (31), and step son Brian Riggs (46).  Additionally, Robert has left behind 7 grandchildren - Alison (16), Nicholas (14), Tyler (12), Joshua (10), Jack (7), Gavin (23 months), and Nina (20 months) - and one unborn grandson, due in August. He provided great love, countless moments of laughter, and tremendous amounts of guidance and moral support to all of his loved ones. His memory will remain alive, but his presence here on earth will be missed dearly.

 

A Memorial Service for Robert will be held at Saddleback Church on Thursday, April 23 at 10:00am, followed by a reception at the Cal Aero Country Club Hangar at Chino Airport at approximately 12:30pm. 

Memorial Information:

A memorial service will be held  on

Thursday, April 23 at 10:00 AM at:

 

Saddleback Church, Tent 2,

1 Saddleback Parkway in Lake Forest, CA 92630

 

Following the service, in keeping with Robert's strong passion for aviation, there will be a reception, with lunch, beginning at approximately 12:30 PM at Chino Airport:

 

Cal Aero Country Club Hangar

14925 Cal Aero Drive

Chino, CA 91710

 

Access to the hangar is via Euclid Avenue, Merrill Avenue and Cal Aero Drive (turn into the airport at the flagpole next to Planes of Fame Museum). The hangar is at the far end of Cal Aero Drive. Parking is available along Cal Aero Drive, and a pedestrian gate leads to the hangar. 

 

For futher info on the Cal Aero Country Club hangar location, see: http://calaeroevents.com/