Vernon Walter Baker, age 75 died at home in Vero Beach FL on Wednesday November 26th 2014 after a lengthy illness. Born in Eau Claire, WI on May 8th 1939 he was the son of the late Florence Mehls Baker and Dallas Vernon Baker.
Vern's lifelong passion to music began with his exposure to music in the church. His passion for music and commitment to his faith defined him. As a child he learned to play the piano and later played the trombone in the high school marching band. He participated in many choirs and the Royal Serenaders. His love of music also expanded to dance. Kathy and Vern belonged to more than one dancing club over the years and his dancing skills included square dancing and polka.
He graduated from Eau Claire HS where he was a member of the marching band and sang in the chorus.
Vern went on to graduate from University of Wisconsin Madison, School of Pharmacy, in 1961. He was a member of ROTC where he led their marching unit. His interest in pharmacy stemmed back to his high school days when worked in a pharmacy.
After graduating, he began practicing pharmacy in LaCrosse, WI. His pharmacy practice went on to include owning a small town pharmacy in Winchester, Ill where he often responded to emergency needs of the town including driving the ambulance. He also provided the necessary training for Boy Scouts to receive first aid/medical badges. He was also a member of the Kiwanis.
After moving to Malvern, PA, he practiced pharmacy as a consultant in long term care facilities including establishing new pharmacies in these settings. At this time he also taught Clinical Pharmacy at The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science. He also published articles on topics related to Drug Holiday programs for residents of long term care facilities.
In 1985, after relocating to Williamsville, NY, he briefly practiced at the Erie County Medical Center and later moved on to work the remainder of his career at the Erie County Home where he retired as a Director.
Vern's commitment to pharmacy was second only to his commitment to his family. From the time he met his wife Kathryn at a church sponsored event at the age of 15 his life changed. Vern and Kathy were married on June 13th 1964 in Eau Claire, WI. Early in this partnership, Vern understood and supported Kathy's path as a clergy member and willingly followed as she was called to different roles and locations. As a clergy spouse he was often called to fill roles in the church either by his own desire or necessity. These roles included singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, working with the youth, making coffee, ensuring there were donuts, playing the organ when the organist was absent, covering in the nursery and driving the church bus.
While living in La Crosse, WI they welcomed their first daughter Elizabeth. Shortly after moving to Winchester, Ill they welcomed 2 additional daughters Marjorie followed by Emily 2 years later. Vern was not your typical' father of the 1970s. In a household where the mother worked outside of the home in a career that was far from your typical 9-5 job, Vern happily took on stereotypically female roles. As a result he was often seen dropping off birthday treats at school as well as being the only man at Girl Scout functions. It was also at this time that he developed a love for cooking. He was a master crafter who created countless Halloween costumes as well as Barbie' houses out of cardboard boxes and furniture out of jewelry boxes and empty spools of thread. For Vern, family was not limited to biology. In 1976 Vern and Kathy welcomed a Swedish foreign exchange student named Anna into the house. From this point on, Vern considered himself a father of 4 girls as that relationship continued well beyond the school year that she lived in their household.
Vern couldn't wait to be a Papa'. He could always be counted on to hold, rock, walk with, read to or play with his grandchildren. He even shaved his signature mustache when his granddaughter objected to his whiskery kisses. After the arrival of Abby, Maddie, Grace, Izzy and the first twin Jenny, imagine his surprise and delight when Vinny was born. As the grandchildren grew, Vern had the pleasure of attending countless ball games, musical concerts, amusement park and museum outings as well as grandparent and family vacations.
Vern and Kathy traveled extensively through the years with their first of many overseas trips to Sweden to see Anna. They often planned their next trip on the way home. These trips included: Egypt, Italy, Yugoslavia, Scandinavia, United Kingdom, Eastern and Western Europe, as well as China, Japan, Hong Kong, Burma, Thailand, and New Zealand. They also traveled to countless islands on their many sailing trips either by small private sailboats or cruise ships.
Vernon was survived by his wife Kathryn (Wilsey), daughters Elizabeth Eldredge (Steven), Marjorie Davis (Howard), Emily Montesanti (Alan), Anna (Rosvall) Stuart. Grandchildren Abigail Borrelli, Madelyn Borrelli, Grace Borrelli (children of Robert Borrelli), Isabel Montesanti, Jennifer Montesanti, Vincent Montesanti, Jakob Stuart, Gabriel Stuart, and Walter Stuart, and his sister Amber Possehl.
Services will be held on Monday December 8th at 10 am at the Community Church of Vero Beach located at 1901 23rd St, Vero Beach, Florida 32960. Memorial contributions can be made to the Music Department of the Community Church of Vero Beach, or VNA Hospice, Vero Beach Office, 1110 35th Lane Vero Beach, FL 32960.