Frank Baker

Frank E. Baker March 3, 1944--February 20, 2017 Frank E. Baker passed away at his home in Glorieta, New Mexico, surrounded by his family, on February 20 following a struggle with lung cancer. Frank was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Henry and Charlotte Thompson Baker. The family later moved to Palo Alto, California, where he grew up. After high school, Frank served in the United States Army, and was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam era. Frank met and married Deborah Harlow in Denver, Colorado in 1968. They settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1974, with oldest son Brent. The family was completed with daughter Rachel and son Blaine. Frank loved exploring the terrain of Northern New Mexico and fly fishing in its streams. The family enjoyed trips around the Southwest to visit natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon, White Sands, and other national parks and monuments. Frank also loved attending events in Santa Fe--Indian Market, Fiestas, the International Folk Art Market, and visiting museums and art galleries. On summer Friday evenings, the family could often be found on the Plaza or Canyon Road gallery walks. In recent years, a favorite family activity was the yearly trip in September to Mora to pick raspberries. An accomplished woodworker and woodcarver, and homebuilder, Frank’s profession was in the building trade. His architectural carving designs added grace and beauty to many homes and public buildings in the area. After years of building homes for others, Frank designed and built a home with Deb in Glorieta, where he lived the rest of his life. Every morning he would have his coffee while looking out over his beloved Pecos Valley, appreciating the beauty of the sky and landscape, a different picture each day. There he found his heart’s home. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, sister Barbara Kerr, brother Paul Baker, and dear son Blaine Harlow Baker. He is survived by wife Deborah Harlow, son Brent Baker of New York state (wife Teagan), daughter Rachel Baker of Glorieta, granddaughters Felix, Ada Zoe, Teah, and Tria; brother Bob Baker (wife Candace) of Los Gatos, California, sister-in-law Shirley Baker of Florida, many nephews and nieces, and good friend Kurt Spencer. Frank had a kind and generous heart and will be deeply missed by his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Frank’s memory to your favorite PBS television station. A memorial service will be held Friday, March 10 at 11:00 at Rivera Family Funeral Home in Santa Fe with a reception to follow. Burial will be at the National Cemetery at 2:15pm.