Robert Baker

Robert Alexander Baker Robert Alexander Baker died January 14 after a long honorable life. He was 94, and a resident of Santa Fe for 22 years. Born in a Buffalo, NY, he was the son of William J. and Mary Prince Baker. He grew up in Old Hickory, Tenn., and in Buffalo, and graduated from Yale University in the Class of 1944. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946, where he reached the rank of Lieutenant and was captain of a sub chaser in the Atlantic and Pacific theatres. He married U.S. Navy Lt. (jg) Margaret Mary Martin of Providence, R.I., in 1944. Their marriage of 52 years-until her death-was marked by their devotion to one another, their wit, and their love for their five children. His career as an insurance executive included Travelers Insurance Co., Chubb and Son, and North American Reinsurance Corp. He was the president and CEO of Security Reinsurance Corp. of Hamilton, Bermuda, and president and CEO of Hudson Reinsurance Co. Ltd. and Hudson Underwriting Ltd., of Hamilton, Bermuda. He chaired the Bermuda government’s insurance Advisory Committee and was president of the Bermuda Insurance Institute. He was a published author and expert on the subject of reinsurance. He was a man of deep principle, integrity and dignity. He is survived by Margaret Madden of Santa Fe, with whom he lived and happily shared his final years. He is also survived by a sister, Elizabeth Bloomer of Salt Lake City, Utah; his children and their spouses: Deborah Baker and Thomas J. Cole of Santa Fe; Gregory Baker and Sarah Dennison of Venice, Calif.; K. Carey Baker of Narragansett, R.I.; Stephen Baker of Lexington, VA.; Christopher Baker and Yayoi Kobayashi Baker of San Francisco, Calif.; and grandchildren Stephanie, Paul, Kathy, Kevin, Amy and Marie. His brother, William J. Baker of Newark, Del., and his sister Joanne Schreiner of Great Falls, VA., preceded him in death. The family thanks his caregivers, Theresa Garcia, Debra Flores, Shannon Lopez and Diane Perkins for their compassionate care, and the staff at Ambercare Hospice for their guidance and kindness. A memorial service will be held Sunday, Jan. 22, at 2:30 p.m. at Rivera Family Funeral Home, 417 East Rodeo Rd., Santa Fe. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Santa Fe Community Foundation, 501 Halona St., Santa Fe N.M. 87505.