LONGTIME CAMBRIDGE ATTORNEY
LEAVES LASTING LEGACY
Richard Albert Baker of Cambridge Ohio passed away February 16, 2022 from
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He was 79.
Dick is survived by his wife Missy and their four children: Dr. Ann Sherry (Paul), John
Baker (DeAnn), Kathleen Weaver (Kevin), and Faith Sichman (Matthew). He is also
survived by their ten grandchildren: Emma and Jake Baker; Lauren and Megan Sherry;
Isaac, Samuel, James and David Weaver; and Arthur and Eddie Sichman.
Born March 10, 1942, he was a son of the late Jacob C Baker and Margaret Ann (Mess)
and the eldest of ten children. He is survived by all of his siblings (and their spouses):
Margaret Ziehler (Tony), Daniel Baker (Connie), Susan Poling (Bill), Mary Lou Baker
Jones (Merrel), Patricia Baker (Bill), Jeannette Mellion (Nick), Theresa Baker, Paul
Baker (Tanya) and Elizabeth Tucker (Craig).
A graduate of Archbishop Hoban High all boys School in 1960, Richard (Dick) played
the Sousaphone in the band. Like his parents before him, and so many after him, he
attended college at The University of Dayton (UD). There, while working as Editor at
the Flyer News, UD's student newspaper, he met who would become his wife of 55 years:
Marilyn (Missy) Musterman.
Dick graduated from UD in 1964. Missy, having actually declined his first proposal
because she wanted to finish her education first, moved on to Vanderbilt for her Masters
degree. Already having been active in Army ROTC at UD, Dick had his sights on the
military. But, he wanted to go to law school first. So, he deferred enlistment until after
Law School at OSU and passing the bar exam. Dick and Missy maintained a long
distance relationship between Columbus and Nashville until she finally accepted his
proposal March 17, 1966. They married December 26 that same year. They have been
side by side ever since.
Attorney Baker graduated from the Moritz College of Law at the Ohio State University in
1967. He served as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) Officer in the US Army at Ft Bragg,
NC where he earned his pilot's license, became a Paratrooper in the Army Special Forces
(Green Berets), and was inducted into the National Society of Pershing Rifles. He
retired after five years in the military having achieved the rank of Captain. By then, the
first two of their four children had been born. Dick and Missy were ready to find a place
to plant their roots and grow their family.
When the law office of DeSelm and Moore in Cambridge, Ohio recruited him, Dick
piloted himself into the Cambridge Municipal Airport to investigate. He would later be
active with the Cambridge Airport Authority. Missy and Dick decided he would take the
job and they would make the move. During his career, he made many good and
important contributions at the state and local levels including serving as Governor for
the Ohio State Bar Association and being the Guernsey County Law Librarian. A special
thanks here to his devoted Secretary Maxine Sala, who stayed with him and his practice
all this time. The sign that was removed 50 years later from the historic building at 819
Steubenville Ave said: Law Offices - Attorney Richard A. Baker.
Dick was a family man. He believed in the power of family and the need for a strong
nuclear family. He was dedicated to the extended and immediate family he knew
personally. He also enjoyed researching genealogy and the connections we have with
the family who came before us. He was genuinely interested in each individual and had
no hesitations when it came to reaching out with a call, email, or text if he was thinking
about you. One of his sisters commented that, "He always professed to be interested in
what I was doing and that is a pretty good quality in an older brother." Yes, that is also a
pretty good quality in a husband, a dad, an uncle, a grandpa, a friend, a neighbor…
His family extended to the entire community and he found numerous ways to serve
others. Dick was an active leader with decades-long tenure in Kiwanis (President,
Foundation), Christ Our Light Parish - St. Benedict church and school (Parish Council
President), Knights of Columbus, Salvation Army (Board of Trustees), Explorers, and
especially the Boy Scouts of America (Scoutmaster, Troop 526, where he helped develop
many Scouts into Eagles). For many years, the Bakers hosted foreign exchange students
and Dick still kept in touch.
Dick believed in family being together. Christmas was the time for gathering at their
place. Do you know that the mantle at their home held 22 stockings for the Christmas of
2021? And if the family was gathering elsewhere, he and Missy hopped in the car.
Reunion? School play? Sporting event? Thanksgiving? Graduation? You know it - He's
packing his camera and his laptop, so get ready for the slideshow! Easter in Louisville
with Missy's family? Baker Christmas Brunch in Dayton? Week on the coast of NC?
He's making the waffles! For 50 years, he welcomed all who could join that time at the
Beach. Funeral?... yes. Even in the hard times, he was there.
But there comes a time when the body cannot last. What will we do without him?
After a recent family dinner, when he and Missy had gone up early to sleep and the
grown kids were still gathered at the table, he emailed from their bed, "It warms my
heart to hear the muted voices downstairs of your enjoyment of each other's company.
Keep these relationships strong and fulfilling."
There it is.
That is what we will do.
Visitation will be held at Christ Our Light Parish (St. Benedict's Church) on Saturday, March 5, 2022 from 11 am to 12 pm with funeral mass beginning at 12 pm. Father Robert Borer will officiate the service. In lieu of flowers: donations may be made to, Christ Our Light Church/School 701 Gomber Ave Cambridge, OH 43725, Boy Scout of America Muskingum Valley Council 734 Morehead Ave Zanesville, OH 43701 or to
Samaritan Center 1207 Chestnut St Cambridge, OH 43725. Please identify in the mailing that it is in memory of Richard Baker. Dick's online tribute wall may be viewed and signed at www.bundy-lawfuneralhome.com .