Robert M. Baker of Ashland, Kansas was born in Wichita, Kansas February 24, 1926 died March 30, 2008 in Campo, California. He was the son of Orville M. Baker and Mary M. Baker.
He married Charlotte A. Drowatzky June 6, 1947.
To this union were born 3 children: William E. Baker, an engineer and C.P.A. of Newark, Delaware; Kristen K. Wilson, a registered nurse and licensed Physicians Assistant of Mesa, Arizona and James R. Baker, a Physician of Lawrence, Kansas.
Charlotte was his "right arm" until she died September 1991 and Bob later remarried Josephine "Jo" Bowman. His wife Josephine survives him together with his 3 children, their spouses and a step-daughter. Joyce Ediger and husband; 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Bob was a firm believer in the proposition that "you only go around once in this world, so you had better get done what you want to do". Among his many activities, he found time to attend 5 different universities and receive 3 degrees including a doctorate in law.

He was baptized into the Christian Church in 1935 and later became a member of the First Christian Church of Ashland, Kansas and served on various church boards for many years, and was an Elder of the Christian Church.

He started working for others when he was 9 years old, and had a long, varied and distinguished career and life. He was a paperboy for 9 years before he went into the US Army. After he was discharged, he attended Wichita University to obtain an Aeronautical Engineering Degree; he then obtained his law degree from Washburn University and was a lawyer for over 40 years and served as District Judge of the 16th Judicial District of Kansas for 2 terms. Among other things notable in his active career, he had been a policeman on the Wichita Police Force, a deputy sheriff of Shawnee County, Kansas; Ass. Court reporter of the Supreme Court of Kansas,; a mayor of Ashland; Ashland Fire Chief for over 20 years, and Clark County Attorney for many years.

He was also a master instructor in the Kansas Firearm Hunter safety program. In Boy Scouts, he had been a Scoutmaster; served on various District and Council Boards; he held the Scouters Award, belonged to the Order Of The Arrow, he held the Wood badge Award; he has been Council President for many years taught and examined for the Lifesaving and Swimming merit badges.

He was one of the original purchasers of the Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch in Colorado.
He was twice elected Master of the Ashland Masonic Lodge; he had been Deputy Grand Master of the Masons; he was a member of the York Rite bodies of Dodge City and a member of the Scottish Rite bodies of Wichita, and was one of only 2 K.C.C.H. recipients ever, in the Ashland Masonic Lodge.
He has also been a past patron of the Order Of The Eastern Star, and a Shriner and a pilot of the Mercy Plane a member of Legion Of Honor and a Provost Guard.

Bob was a trap shooter and a holder of many world and state shooting titles. He was made a member of the Kansas Trap Shooter's Hall Of Fame; he had competed all over the world in  many countries and continents in World Championships, Pan American games; American Championships; the Macabiah games, and was a finalist in the Olympic tryouts 3 times to represent the United States.
A Veteran of World War 2; he was active and a past commander in the V.F.W. and American Legion posts; and has been Kansas State Commander of the Military Order of the Cootie, the honor degree of the V.F.W.

He was a big game hunter and he and Charlotte hunted on 4 continents and at one time he had held various world records in hunting and shooting. He broke his hip while hunting in Africa in 1989, but this only slowed him down temporarily. He then went to ranching and accumulating land, and continued to do so until his death.

Funeral Services were held st 3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 6, 2008 at the First Christian Church of Ashland, Kansas. Officiating was Rev. Jim Sutherland. Organist was Bessie Seacat, Special music "His eyes are on the sparrow" by Norma Suire and "Be Still My Soul" by granddaughter Amy Thachary. Congregational hymns were "How Great Thou Art" and "The Old Rugged Cross".
Military Honors were by the Ashland, Kansas VFW Post #7770. Graveside services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 7, 2008 at White Chapel Gardens, Wichita, KS, Military Graveside Arrangements were by Myatt Funeral Home of Ashland, KS.  11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 7, 2008 at White Chapel Gardens, Wichita, KS, Military Graveside Arrangements were by Myatt Funeral Home of Ashland, KS.