Dr. Champ L. Baker Jr.

Champ Leroy Baker, Jr., M.D., of Columbus, Georgia, passed away March 18, 2022, at the age of 75. Dr. Baker, an orthopedic surgeon, was renowned nationally and internationally for his expertise in sports medicine. A native of Alexandria, Louisiana, he was born on August 3, 1946, to the late Champ L. Baker, Sr. and Astrid Hiie Baker, a nurse and the inspiration for her son’s medical career.

Baker received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Louisiana State University. At 6’5”, Champ had always hoped to have a career in basketball and had, indeed, made the LSU basketball team his freshman year as a center. During his sophomore year, however, “Pistol Pete” Maravich joined the team as a 6’5” shooting guard. He remained the consummate LSU fan, and, ever the optimist, he supported them through good years and bad.

Baker entered the US Army after medical school and completed his orthopedic residency at Letterman Army Medical Center in San Francisco and Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children in St. Louis. He completed a sports medicine fellowship under Dr. Jack Hughston in Columbus in 1979. He retired from the Army as a Lt. Colonel and joined The Hughston Clinic in 1982 and remained on staff there until his retirement. He served as president of The Hughston Clinic from 1994 until 2000 and was an orthopedics professor at Tulane University School of Medicine and at the Medical College of Georgia. He formerly served as Chair of the Board of Directors of The Hughston Foundation and as program director of the Hughston Sports Medicine Fellowship.

Nationally and internationally, Baker was active in many professional societies and served as an officer or committee member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; American Shoulder and Elbow Society; American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine; American Orthopaedic Association; International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine; and Arthroscopy Association of North America. He was president of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Southern Orthopaedic Association, Georgia Orthopaedic Society, and Georgia Shoulder and Elbow Society. He was inducted into the Halls of Fame of both the Chattahoochee Valley Sports and the American Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine; he was honored in 2010 by the latter with the George D. Rovere Award for his contribution to sports medicine education and the title of “Mr. Sports Medicine” for his significant contributions to the field. He was also a recipient of the Distinguished Southern Orthopaedist Award from the Southern Orthopaedic Association and the President’s Challenge Award from the National Athletic Trainers Association. In short, he was the recipient of nearly every prestigious award given by the professional associations and societies to which he belonged. When jokingly asked if receiving all these lifetime achievement awards meant he was “all washed up,” he replied, “Better to be all washed up with awards than all washed up with no awards.”

Whether it was adding to the existing body of orthopedic knowledge or describing a new surgical technique, Baker’s enthusiasm for a new research project was always apparent. To pass along knowledge gained from his many years of practice, he contributed his writings to numerous medical textbooks and scientific articles on sports medicine topics. As a supporter of medical research, he served on the editorial boards of several medical journals.

In his hands-on support of athletes, Baker served as team physician for numerous local and regional athletic teams, including the University of Alabama and Columbus State University, where he was inducted into the CSU Sports Hall of Fame. He was a volunteer physician for the U.S. Olympic Committee. He started and funded scholarships for students in nursing and athletic training careers.

On a personal and local level, his community service is legendary. He was instrumental in bringing MercyMed to Columbus to provide indigent healthcare to his community’s citizens. He was a past-president of the Board of Trustees of Columbus State University and served on the boards of many local groups. His varied interests and talents led him to contribute his time as a board member of The Bo Bartlett Center.

Personally, Champ lived up to his name. After expressing a need for an update in his social life, a former LSU fraternity brother introduced Champ to Sue Anne Owens from Quincy, FL. After an initial promising start to their relationship, Champ made a misstep; he spent a picnic date with Sue Anne reading the newspaper. Fortunately, he corrected that error and soon asked her to marry him. Last August, they celebrated their 50th anniversary. Champ was a beloved husband and dedicated father who adored spending time with his three children. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sue Anne; son, Champ Baker, III M.D. (wife Dr. Karin Baker); and daughters Kate Aghevli (husband Kaveh) and Sarah Andrus (husband Brent). He was known as “Bud” to his beloved grandchildren Champ IV (Lee) and Caroline Baker; Adeleh, Grady, and Kian Aghevli; and Hank, Sam, and Jack Andrus. He is also survived by his sister Susie Nall and brother Rusty Baker (wife Kathie), nephews Wade Hopkins and Craig Nall, and nieces, Brandy, Emily, and Cassie Baker. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law Malcolm Nall. His co-workers and staff, whom he treated with total respect, will miss his humor and sincere concern for them. He also leaves behind friends too numerous to count.

Champ Baker was a caring physician and a great surgeon, an honorable community volunteer and servant, and one of the most unique human beings you could hope to have as a friend or colleague.

A service to celebrate Champ's life will be held Thursday, March 24th at 12:00PM in the sanctuary of St. Luke United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service beginning at 10:30 AM in Stockwell Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Champ L. Baker, Jr. to any of the following organizations: The Bo Bartlett Center, c/o Columbus State University, 4225 University Ave., Columbus, GA 31904; MercyMed, 3702 2nd Ave., Columbus, GA 31904; St. Luke United Methodist Church, PO Box 867, Columbus, GA 31902.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Baker family.