Douglas Bruce Baker

Douglas Bruce Baker was born on the family farm just outside of Peterson, IA on June 6th, 1933, to Wayne and Nelda Baker. He lived there with his parents and younger sister, Diana, until he left to go to college. While growing up he helped his father with the daily farm chores, tending livestock, growing crops and working the fields with a team of horses. The family didn’t get indoor plumbing and electricity until he was a teen. He also participated in 4-H, raising calves and pigs that he competed with at the county fair. He always enjoyed the out-of-doors and told stories about setting out with a buddy on overnight camping trips where they lived off the land, shooting rabbits and catching fish for dinner. He attended school in Peterson, often riding his horse 3 miles into town for school. It was during his high school years that he started dating Shirley Larson, who was to later become his wife.

After graduating from high school, he attended Iowa State University where he graduated in 1954 with a degree in Farm Management, with the intent of returning to the family farm. While in college, he married his high school sweetheart and they began their life together, living in a tiny little trailer until graduation. To help fund his college education, he joined the Air Force ROTC, then after college, went into the Air Force to fulfil his commitment. After discovering his love for flying and experiencing the world outside Peterson, Iowa, he decided to forgo farming and instead continued in the Air Force. He became a pilot, learning to fly in the A-6 Texan, obtained his multi-engine rating in the B-25 Mitchell, and flying various transport planes as well. During this time, Doug and Shirley started their family and had 3 children, Susan, David and Elizabeth, all while moving frequently around the country. They were also stationed for 2 and a half years in Okinawa, where he flew the Grumman Albatross on air rescue missions. After serving 11 years of active duty, he continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve for an additional 10 years, retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel. He went to work for United Airlines in 1966 based in Chicago. In 1969 he moved his family to Santa Rosa, CA where they stayed until after his retirement from United in 1994 as a pilot on the Boeing 747.

Doug had many passions, one of which was his 21’ Sea Ray boat. He spent many hours with his kids, grandkids and friends fishing for salmon, striped bass and sturgeon in the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean west of Bodega Bay. He also used his prize boat for countless fun summer days with the family, water skiing near home as well as taking an annual weeklong camping/waterskiing trip to Lake Shasta. He devoted his time to his community and kids, even becoming David’s Scoutmaster where he led the troop on many adventures.

After the kids left the nest, Doug became an avid golfer and thoroughly enjoyed playing with his family and friends. He also loved woodworking and tinkering in his shop. In fact, as a former Iowa farm boy, it seemed like he could build and fix anything. He passed this skill on to his kids and grandkids by helping them make wooden toys, go karts, Pinewood Derby cars, playhouses, and countless other gadgets. Once his kids had their own homes, he was always there to lend a hand with numerous home projects and renovations.

After retiring from United at age 61, he spent several years working at their church in Santa Rosa as head of the facilities, almost on a full-time basis. Dad was always generous with his time for anyone who needed help and continued serving his community after moving to Sun Lakes in 2004. There, he became involved in the local Rotary Club, receiving many awards for his service. He also spent these years as an incredibly loving and devoted husband, caring for his beloved Shirley as she battled Parkinson’s disease until her death in 2016. They were married for 63 years.

Dad had a friendly smile and kind words to everyone he met. He loved God with all his heart and passed along that faith to his grateful family. He left this earth on June 20, 2025 to be in the arms of His Savior. He is survived by his three children, 10 grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren, and will be dearly missed.