Dr. Richard P. Baker

Richard P. Baker, Jr., age 94, retired physician and longtime resident of Drexel Hill, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, Oct. 8, while recuperating from a recent fall.

Born and raised on Thompson Street in the Bridesburg section of Northeast Philadelphia, "Dick" was a 1948 graduate of St. Joe's Prep, a 1952 graduate of St. Joseph's College and 1956 graduate of Jefferson Medical College. He was a medical intern at St. Agnes Hospital and spent his residency at Misericordia Hospital and Pennsylvania Hospital. Doctor Baker was a career pathologist, initially at Misericordia and then at Riddle Memorial Hospital until his retirement in 1997.

Richard's father, Richard Sr., was a dentist with a practice in Bridesburg. His mother, the late Elizabeth (Schroth), nicknamed him "Snooksie" as a child but later renamed him "Booksie," presumably for his love of literature and command of the English language. Dick would often parse words into their Latin roots for the edification of his children or anyone else open to instruction. His vast vocabulary and medical lexicon gave life to any conversation. And his collection of leather-bound classics remains in his bedroom book cabinet to this day.

Doctor Baker was an avid fly fisherman and longtime member of the Lower Toby Sportsmen's Club in Tobyhanna, PA, where he enjoyed the solace of the stream as much as the casting of his line. He was art in motion, whether his lure succeeded or failed in hooking a trout. He even tied his own flies, a tedious hobby he pursued for hours on end in the basement of his Drexel Hill home. Fly fishing wasn't Richard's only sporting pursuit. He took up skiing at the age of 60 and had an equipment locker at the base of Big Boulder Mountain in the Poconos. He could walk to the slopes from the family condo on Big Boulder Lake. Richard was also a lover of classical music, and often enjoyed Brahms, Debussy, Haydn, Mozart and others in the comfort of the family's living room, all played on a Magnavox 1960s-era stereo.

He served his country as a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corps during the Vietnam War era.

Richard met the love of his life, Margaret (nee Nelson) of Upper Darby, one fine summer in Wildwood, NJ. They married the day after he graduated medical school, on June 16, 1956. Margie was the ultimate homemaker, and together they raised 7 children. Their marriage lasted 66 years, until Margie's death in September 2022 at the age of 92. Richard's fondness for Margie was apparent in the multitude of photos he kept round the house after her passing, including the large portrait of Margie that adorned their bedroom wall surrounded by photos of their children in their early years.

Richard was a deeply religious man and was comforted by the prayers of his children as they surrounded him at his bedside each night before his passing.

He was pre-deceased by his sister Elizabeth "Betty Marie" (Riley) Kreschick, brothers Robert and Ronald, and sister Barbara, who died an infant. His survivors include Richard III (Colleen), Paul (Mary), Victor, Anne Clark (Mark), Catherine, Therese and Christine Sherlock (Michael), as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition, he is survived by 10 grandchildren: Jennifer, R.P., Matthew, Andrew, Shannon, Lydia, Matthew, Stephen, Elise and Quinn. He is also survived by 8 great grandchildren, the last of which was born just days before Richard's passing.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Viewing on Sunday, October 13, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Donohue Funeral Home, 3300 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA. Funeral Mass will follow at 12 noon on Monday (no viewing), October 14, at St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 3500 School Lane, Drexel Hill, PA. Interment will be in STS. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield.