“Your Dad was a true inspiration to everyone he touched. His amazing commitment to aviation safety, introducing general aviation to children through the Young Eagles program and his countless contributions to our community have had a huge impact in so many areas and all of us who knew him well.

He will be missed terribly but his example will serve to guide us all in maintaining the momentum in everything he started and lead!”

• Michael Squadrille

 

“I am so sorry to learn of Robert’s passing.  He was a tireless advocate for aviation safety and will be sorely missed in our community.”

• John Steuernagle

 

“I want to offer my heartfelt condolences and prayers for the loss of a truly good man with a huge heart.  This is a tragic loss that will be felt by all he has touched in one way or another. Robert will be missed!”

• John H. Allen

 

“Although Robert extended himself to me personally many times over the last 10 years, the experience that I had with him flying the Young Eagles allowed me the ability to comprehend the extent of this man's generosity, kindness, spirit, and dedication to others. Always smiling, always happy, always positive. Truly a huge loss to all those he touched.”

• Roger French

 

“Robert, we have a lot in common, you and I. Both from Michigan, graduating from MSU with degrees in Electrical Engineering. Both played the trombone and both love flying. And, though we are about as far apart in Politics and Religion as two people could be, as any really good friends, I always enjoyed talking to you about those differences as well as our common love of flying. I feel very fortunate to have gotten to know you. I'll miss you. God's speed.”

• Thomas Steury

 

“I am so sad about the passing of our friend and fellow flying enthusiast, Robert Baker. He was instrumental in helping our son find his passion for flying airplanes. And Robert was so important to EAA Young Eagles Chapter 92. He is forever in our hearts!”

• Lisa Hart

 

“Robert Baker your love of life and enthusiasm for aviation, wonderfully supportive nature and kindness will be missed. God bless you and may you rest in peace. My sincere condolences to the Baker family during this difficult time.”

• Kim Furst

 

“I am truly saddened by Robert's passing. I will miss him. Blue skies and tailwinds my friend.

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”

• Gil Velez

 

“Oh my goodness. Rest in peace friend. The way you inspired people and the love of flight. You are soaring now. Tail winds to you. My prayers are with your family.”

• Jolie Lucas

 

“Dad I love you I love you I love you. Your heart soul smile and spirit will always be remembered in the highest of all light. You were my dad, my father, my mentor my confidant; my friend, my partner. Your soul is at peace now resting with the Angels reunited with mom and all the other loved ones who surround you with love joy peace patience kindness and everything good. Please watch over me from above and let me know you are there. I love you I love you I love you.”

• Christopher Baker

 

"I'm going to be a little lost the rest of my days here on earth without Robert. He was the most generous, courageous and compassionate man I know, working selflessly for the benefit of others. I know Robert's new role is going to be guardian angel to so many of us."

• Debbie Cavanagh

 

"Robert, my world became noticeably better with you in it. For nearly twenty years, you infected me with your positiveness and generosity. That's quite a legacy and I'll do my best to pass it on. Thanks for always being there."

"On Wednesday, April 23rd, the members of the Orange Country Delphi User Group held a special meeting to remember Robert Baker. Robert was a beloved member for nearly twenty years and we shared our favorite memories of him. Robert worked on computer systems most of us only read about in computer history books, and we loved hearing his stories about punch cards and paper tape. There's a big hole in our family now, but we're all better for having worked with him."

• Steve Kramer

 

"I met Robert soon after the Coto Riders had been formed and rode with them on some very fun and interesting rides. Robert was always enthusiatic and he and Sharon were game for any challege the highway would present or a destination would reveal. I had not seen Robert for quite a while as I split time between our home in South Carolina and here in Irvine at work and with our kids in Orange County. The thing which will always be associated with Robert for me is that no matter what the temperature or weather we had on any given ride day, he would always wear a short sleeve shirt with no jacket and a pair of riding gloves. He will be missed and I will always remember his energy and just do it attitude."

• Tim Rabbitt

 

"I met Robert at Oshkosh, WI, at Airventure in 2008. It was my second time there, his first. He participated in the event the same way I did, by flying our Cessna 182s in a mass arrival group of some 50 airplanes, after which we parked together, and camped together, and enjoyed together, the annual gathering of some 500,000 of our closest friends, sharing all in our favorite activity. It wasn't until we arrived that we were aware that we flew airplanes in the same area, and we've been friends ever since. He remembers it slightly differently than I do, but nevertheless, the point is the same: making friends, doing what you're doing, and trying to get better at what it is we're doing. In the years since, we've worked together closely in our pilot groups, as my group came up to speed, Robert was always there with a willingness to share what had worked for him in his group, and excited to see what we would do differently, and hoping it would work. It has, and in no small measure due to the enthusiasm he brought to everything he, and we, did. I never had an opportunity to fly in the same airplane at the same time with Robert, and I will regret that. I hope I didn't intimidate him. He came to flying late in life, while I took to it very early. In fact, in many - perhaps most - ways, we were diametrically opposed. But, I started out in my career in software development, and I have to admit that I was surprised when I met him to see that he was doing things way beyond what I ever did. In spite of our differences, political, religious, or other, he never dwelled on that, and instead we were able to focus on what brought us together: airplanes, technology, community, and more. No one can doubt his enthusiasm for sharing these loves with the next generation, and I only hope we can continue these efforts moving forward. Sometimes, his enthusiasm exceeded the boundaries, legal, civil, or otherwise. In my last conversation with him a few days before he flew west, he crowed about giving "instruction" to a budding aviator. I had to remind him that he couldn't call it "instruction", because he wasn't an "instructor", in the legal sense of the word. We finally settled on "experience". That he had given lots of "experience" to this youth, and I know it was a great experience for both. Robert was always a self-taught person, and talked about having taught himself how to fly, in spite of the necessity of hiring an instructor to do it within the law. He took great pride in being able to research and fulfill his thirst for knowledge on his own time, and in his own way. In fact, this is what led him to be such a great resource when it came to finding speakers for our monthly meetings and seminars at our local airports. He was very gutsy in his outreach to local and regional experts, and I have learned much from him. Robert George Baker leaves huge shoes to fill. It is ours to make an effort to continue where he was forced to leave off. We owe it to him and we owe it to ourselves. But most importantly, we owe it to those who follow, to share that love of learning, experiencing, and joy, this capability we have, no matter in which discipline. And, to make it as safe as we can for all of us and those to come."

• Captain Mike Jesch

 

"You are a lucky family to had such a dad.  While it hurts to have him gone, you were lucky to have had such great times together.  His impact on his family and his friends is transcending and he couldn't have a greater legacy.  I hope I can leave half the impact he did.  Your dad was truly a great man. God bless"

• Les Whittlesey

 

"Robert and I initially had a working relationship because of his involvement as a FAA Safety Team (FAAST) Representative. I am a FAASTeam Program Manager for the FAA based in Van Nuys. I am grateful to have known Robert and so appreciate of ALL his efforts to support aviation in the So. California area. He definately thought outside of the box and not only was a thinker but a doer. We not only talked about our working relationship but we shared our belief in Jesus Christ and became friends. I am so sad that we have lost such a fantastic, loving, inspirational, creative, fun, hard working, sacrificial, awesome, wonderful, and so many more adjectives I could use, person. But I know Robert was someone that when Christ met him he stated; Welcome my good and faithful servant. "Thank you Robert for all that you did for so many others on this earth" We were blessed to have known you! Huggies Always - Karla"

• Karla Borden