David Mark Baker

David Mark Baker, known to family and friends as Mark, passed away on June 17, 2026, in La Jolla, California, at the age of 73, after a fifteen-year struggle with Posterior Cortical Atrophy, a rare and progressive form of dementia. Mark carried on with dignity and grace until the end and passed peacefully with his family by his side.

Mark was born in Frederick, Maryland, to the late Richard Holmes Baker and Emajane (Hahn) Baker. He grew up on the family dairy farm near Unionville, Maryland, where he shared in farm related responsibilities with his brothers, and attended Linganore High School where he participated in theater and student government. He went on to study U.S. government at the University of Maryland before earning his law degree from American University Washington College of Law.

Mark devoted the majority of his legal career to a single organization - one that passed through several names and ownership changes over the decades, from Vitro Corporation to, ultimately, BAE Systems - serving throughout as chief counsel. He was a dedicated attorney who found great satisfaction in his work.

Mark lived for many years in Silver Spring, Maryland, where he enjoyed countless hours relaxing or playing catch in the backyard with his loved ones and capturing family memories with his video camera. One of his boldest and most memorable adventures was biking the entire C&O Canal towpath from Cumberland, Maryland, to Georgetown with his boys. He also loved exploring Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland by boat and dutifully shuttled his boys to and from the ski mountain in the winter.

In 2019, Mark and his wife Debbie retired to Coronado, California, where he embraced a quieter chapter of running along the beach, following his beloved Baltimore Orioles, and spending unhurried time with the people he loved. He was an avid reader and music lover, and he and Debbie shared several memorable trips together that they cherished.

Mark was the beloved husband of Deborah (Flaim) Baker, his wife of 41 years. He was a loving father to Michael Baker (Soledad) of San Diego, California, and Christopher Bushong of Sammamish, Washington, and a devoted grandfather to Mateo Baker and Rowen Bushong, who knew him as Papa. He is also survived by his brothers Richard Baker (Carol) of Fulton, Maryland, and Robert Baker (Ann) of Washington, DC.

The family will gather privately in the coming months to visit his grave and share a meal in his memory. In lieu of a formal service, those who knew Mark are warmly invited to share remembrances with the family directly.

He will be deeply missed.