Obituary for Robert Wendell Baker

Robert Wendell Baker of Cedar Rapids, 89, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2010. He was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church, most recently Asbury United Methodist of Cedar Rapids. He was always active in the community and served as past-president of Fairfield Lion’s Club and past-chair of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He was a member for many years of the Harmony Hawks barbershop chorus and Hawkeye Sailing Club. He retired in 1983 from Iowa Precision Industries where he was employed as their corporate pilot. Prior to Precision Industries he was a charter pilot for Wathan Flying Service of Cedar Rapids. Wendell was a lifelong pilot and taught many people to fly. He also loved to sing and to sail. He was well-liked for his mellow personality and even temper and had a gift for putting people at ease. He served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force during WWII and received a Purple Heart. Wendell is survived by his former wife, Frances Baker of Cedar Rapids; three children—Thomas Wendell from Chicago, Julia Vanderhoff of Indianapolis, and Lois Baker of Iowa City; two step-children, Robert Vavra of Harper’s Ferry and Debbie Healy of Cedar Rapids; and five grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. Memorial service will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. August 15. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in his name to Asbury United Methodist Church, 350 27th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404. Pastor Ed Powers will preside. Online condolences may be left at www.iowacremation.com.