Glenn F. Baker

Glenn F. Baker, Jr., age 88, of Vancouver, WA passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday, March 6, 2022. Glenn was born on September 8, 1933 in Goldendale, WA. Due to a lack of work during the depression, the family relocated to Vancouver, WA in 1936. In 1947, tragedy struck the Baker family as Glenn, Sr. passed away from a 7-year battle with cancer (Glenn, Jr. was only 14 at the time). After graduating from Vancouver High School in 1951, Glenn joined the local electrical apprentice program. But, because of a childhood illness (Rheumatic Fever) that caused damage to one of his heart valves, the doctors recommended that he find a less strenuous occupation. Thus, through a state program, he attended Vancouver Business School (now known as Clark College), majoring in Bookkeeping. After business school, he went to work for a small accounting firm in Vancouver, but soon branched out on his own, starting Baker's Bookkeeping Service. He and his wife Carol, operated this business until 2019. The late 1950's and early 60's were joyous years and also trying times. He married his wife Carol in 1958. Two sons were born and a third lost. The heart valve issue had become rather desperate and the cure was still in its experimental stages. By February 1966 there was no choice, Glenn's heart was failing and it was time for surgery. Luckily for him, the experimental treatment was a success, but the odds were still against him. In 1966 they were performing four valve replacements per week but by the early 70's, Glenn was the only survivor of his group. After such a trying start, life settled down for Glenn. There were family vacations, kids and finally the ability to do the thing he loved the most, build. It was an odd thing, with no father figure in his youth or formal training, Glenn could build almost anything. From framing houses, sheds, barns and decks, to building bookshelves and tables or turning beautiful wooden bowls on his lathe. He could do it all and enjoyed every minute of it. Glenn and Carol lived in multiple homes around Clark County. In the late 1970's, there was the family home on a 25-acre farm in the Hockinson area. In the early 80's, they moved into the Orchards area and built the first solar certified home in Clark County. In the 2000's, they moved out to the Brush Prairie, to get away from all the people who had moved around him in the city. And finally, to a home in the Vancouver Heights area that overlooked a city park. Glenn is survived by a loving family: wife of 63 years, Carol, two sons, Kevin (Joy) and Paul (Sheila), three grandchildren: Jessica (Connor) Wells, Christopher (Melissa) and Michael (Sarah) Baker. Glenn is interred at Park Hill Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held later this Spring. The family would like to give special thanks to: OHSU Cardiovascular Program, Dr. Albert Starr and Engineer Lowell Edwards (Developers of the Starr Edwards Heart Value). Without their work, we would not have had our husband, father and grandfather for all these wonderful years. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, a contribution in Glenn's name can be made to OHSU Cardiovascular Research at: www.ohsu.edu/knight/cardiovascular

Glenn F. Baker

September 8, 1933 - March 6, 2022