Robert "Bob" Baker

Robert “Bob” Arthur Baker, 92, of Fergus Falls, died Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.
He was born July 7, 1926, in Fergus Falls, the son of Roy and Inez (Engel) Baker. He grew up in Fergus Falls, attending school with the Class of 1944.
On September 16, 1950, he married LaVonne “Vonnie” Doreanne Anderson at First English Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Bob held various jobs, including Service Food and Lincoln Standard Pure Oil Service. He was co-owner of Ken and Bobs’ Auto Service and then owned and operated the Midwest Atlas Company. He worked as General Manager of Fergus Falls Cable Service for 26 years before “retiring.” While working for the Cable Service, he was moved to Oshkosh, WI, where he spent 3 years building the Oshkosh, Neenah, and Menasha cable systems, before moving back to Fergus Falls. After retirement he worked for Otter Tail County, helping design and implement the rural emergency addressing system in use today.
Bob was a member of the Fergus Falls Fire Department for 23 years, holding the position of Deputy Chief for the last 10 years. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Cable Communications Association, as an Oak Grove Cemetery Trustee, and as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels. He was an officer of the Elks BPOE 1093 and a member for over 55 years, and was a long-time active member and volunteer at First Lutheran Church.
He was an avid gardener, talented woodworker, and legendary Cribbage and card player. He enjoyed spending time at the lake, stock car racing, and was a lifelong aviation aficionado. Bob was always helping people, giving of himself to others in any capacity, and teaching us all what it truly means to love one’s neighbor.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Roy and Inez Baker, and sisters Kathryn Baker, Helen Lund, and Jean Bassett.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Vonnie Baker of Fergus Falls, and their children Tracy (Randal) Gullickson of Butler, PA, Richard (Nettie) Baker of Fergus Falls, Donn Baker of Fergus Falls, and Michael (Kathryn) Baker of St. Cloud; 7 grandchildren, Trina (Jason) Dart, Mindy (Trevor Hirst) Baker, Jason (Jessica) Gullickson, Ross (Misty) Baker, Anna (Rob Morris) Gullickson, Kari Boen, and Shelly Boen; 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Jo Kilde; sisters-and brothers-in-law, Diane (Carl) Prischmann, Paul (Diane) Anderson, Donna Anderson and Allegra Anderson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation: 4-6 p.m. Friday, June 28, 2019 at the funeral home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorial Service: 11 a.m. Saturday, June 29, 2019 at First Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls.
Clergy: Chaplain David Strom
Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN
Arrangements are provided by the Olson Funeral Home Fergus Falls.
Online condolences may be sent to www.OlsonFuneralHome.com