Robert "Bob" Newman Baker

Robert Newman “Bob” Baker, age 88, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2026, in Sarasota, Florida, after a full life of loving and being loved by his devoted wife of 62 years, Diane Baker, and their five children and 15 grandchildren.

Bob was born on March 8, 1938, in Newark, New Jersey, to Charles Livingston “Lee” Baker and Mildred Baker. He was a decorated baseball pitcher at Teaneck High School (Class of 1956), throwing multiple no-hitters and earning a baseball scholarship to Columbia University in New York City, where he continued his baseball and academic career. Bob also served as a Sergeant in the Army National Guard for six years after college.

Bob met the love of his life, Diane Evans, in 1963 and they were married on October 10, 1964, at Queen of Peace Church in North Arlington New Jersey. Bob and Diane raised their children primarily in Basking Ridge, New Jersey and Barrington, Illinois, before retiring to sunny Bradenton, Florida in 2001.

Bob was a devout Catholic and served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Anne’s Church in Barrington, Illinois and at Our Lady of the Angels in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.

Before his retirement in 2000, Bob had an illustrious career in the medical product/device field, holding executive positions with C.R. Bard Inc. of Murray Hill, NJ and serving as President of Northgate Research in Arlington Heights, IL. Outside of work, Bob enjoyed and excelled in numerous athletic activities including karate, running, tennis and golf. Most of all, though, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Bob was predeceased by his parents and his beloved brother, Livingston (“Liv”) Baker. He is survived by his cherished wife, Diane, their five children and their spouses and 15 grandchildren: Evan Baker, wife Tracey Baker and children Justin Baker, Ellie Baker, Grace Baker and Grant Baker of Long Valley, NJ; Allison Provost, husband David Provost and children Sarah Provost, Julia Provost, Elizabeth Provost and Katherine Provost of Boston, MA; Kyle Baker, wife Tina Baker and children Shannon Baker and Ryan Baker of Westfield, NJ; Dale Whitehead, husband Matt Whitehead and children Royce Whitehead, Hayden Whitehead and Blair Whitehead of Melbourne, Australia; Cullen Baker, wife Heather Baker and children Aiden Baker and Logan Baker of Chicago, IL. He is also survived by his brother Liv’s wife, Ruth Baker, his niece Genevieve Baker and her son Leo Brese. Bob is also survived by half-sister, Ginger Palagonia and half-brother, Richard Baker.

Visitation will be held at Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center, 4310 Solutions Lane, Bradenton, FL 34211, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. A Funeral Mass for Bob will be held at Our Lady of the Angels, 12905 State Road 70 E, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202, on Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, followed by a Committal Service at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232, at 12:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Bob’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at www.stjude.org.