Obituaries

Bob BakerNORTH LANSING, NY - A man unequalled in generosity of spirit and nature, Dr. Robert C. Baker, passed quietly early Monday morning at his home in North Lansing. He was known as the "Edison of the poultry industry" for his work in developing new food products. With the lifelong support of his wife, Jacoba, he was able to motivate his children, students, and friends to achieve their greatest potential. To him, everyone was of value-everyone shone in his presence.

He was 84 years old.

Dr. Baker was born in Newark, NY, December 29, 1921, and was raised on a fruit farm in Sodus, NY. He and Jacoba Munson began their 60+ year long life together when they were married in 1944.

Dr. Baker attended Cornell and received a degree in Pomology in 1943, a M.S. from Penn State in 1949, and a Ph.D. in Food Science from Purdue in 1957. His long and distinguished career at Cornell began in 1949 as an Assistant Professor of Poultry Extension. While in the Poultry Department, he initiated the Food Science Program in 1957. He was widely recognized for his development work in poultry and eggs, originating more than 50 new products, many of which are still marketed today.

Locally he's best known for developing the famous Cornell Barbecue Sauce which is used throughout the nation. In 1949, he started Bakers' Chicken Coop at the New York State Fair that premiered barbecued chicken using his "Cornell Sauce", a business that thrives to this day.

In his academic life at Cornell, he advised graduate students from throughout the world. He invited many of these students to stay at his home if they needed held with housing. He had a remarkably positive influence on all those that looked to him for advising and guidance. He was a member and lifelong advisor and supporter of the Alpha Zeta fraternity at Cornell.

He also gave many lectures and conducted workshops in more than 20 different countries on the development of new food products. He received numerous national and international awards for his contributions to the Poultry and Food Science fields and was inducted into the Poultry Hall of Fame in 2004.

He was the Director of the Institute of Food Science and Chairman of the Poultry Department at Cornell prior to his retirement in 1989. True to his untiring energy, he worked nearly as hard in retirement at Baker's Acres, going back to his roots and first love as an apple farmer. There, he continued planting and cared for more than 1000 fruit trees for over 15 years.

He was also involved with activities in the Lansing and Ithaca communities. He was a member of the Lansing United Methodist Church, a founding member of the Lansing Lions Club and the Lansing Housing Authority, which founded the Woodsedge retirement apartments in South Lansing. He was active in initiating the Lansing Community Council. He was a member of Ithaca Rotary and the North Lansing Fireman's Auxiliary.

Robert and Jacoba had seven children, Dale (spouse, Maureen) in Lansing, Kermit (spouse, Joan) in Boston, Regina Robbins (spouse, Kelly) in Knoxville, Tennessee, Reenie Sandsted (spouse, Jeff) in Lansing, Johanna in Lansing, and Karen Applebee (spouse, Jody) in Towanda, Pennsylvania. He was predeceased by his son, Myron, in 1969.

He was the proud grandfather of Dani, Karissa and Robert Baker, Diana, Rachel and Michael Baker, Reigan and Kelly Robbins, Travis and Sarah Sandsted, and Jordan and Jonathan Applebee. He was recently blessed with two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Theodore. He is also survived by his brother, Merrill Baker and his wife, Jean; and sister-in-law, Pauline, who live in Sodus, NY; along with many other nieces and nephews.

Bob's enduring work ethic in academics and science was great and far-reaching, but it was matched equally, if not surpassed by, his deep abiding love for his wife and family and friends. His generosity to loved ones as well as strangers revealed him as a blessing to our world.

Now, everything that Bob needed to accomplish has been accomplished, everything he was to see, he has seen, and everyone he was to love, he still loves.

Someone we love has passed; we will always reach out to him.

Visitation will be held at the Lansing United Methodist Church, corner of Rte. 34 and Brickyard Rd., Lansing, NY, on Friday evening, March 17, 2006, from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and again on Saturday, March 18, 2006, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. All are invited to join the Baker family for a chicken barbeque dinner at Lansing United Methodist on Saturday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. A Memorial service will be held at the Lansing Middle School auditorium on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. with Pastor William Gottschalk-Fielding officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lansing United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 32 Brickyard Rd., Lansing, NY 14882, or the Department of Food Science, Cornell University, 116 Stocking Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, c/o Joseph Hotchkiss. Arrangements are with Lansing Funeral Home. (www.lansingfuneralhome.com)