Richard W. Baker ’37 died on March 9, 2008, in Vero Beach, Florida.

Born in Boston, Mass., on May 24, 1915, he prepared for college at Norwood High School in Norwood, Mass. and joined Beta Theta Pi Fraternity at Bowdoin. At the beginning of World War II, he joined the Navy and served aboard the U.S.S.Appalachian in the Pacific, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He was an actuary with several firms in Philadelphia and was very active in the Republican Party. He was also an accomplished musician, playing harmonica, saxophone, clarinet, and keyboards. He started as a youth playing in a harmonica group regularly on the radio in the Boston area. Later he played in big bands and jazz bands all over the Northeast and on many cruise ships. When he retired to Vero Beach in 1980, he founded a popular local band called The Harbor Lights.An avid fisherman and yachtsman, he owned many boats, one of which he built himself. He was a world traveler, and his love of the sea led him to go on as many as 100 cruises. He was married to Pricilla (“Polly”) until her death in 2001. He is survived by his companion in his later years, Nancy Park; two daughters, Carol Heron of Atlanta, Ga., and Alison Baker of McClain,Va.; a son, Rusty Baker of Woodland Park, Colo.; two grandchildren; and two great- grandchildren.