Carroll R. Baker

Obituary prepared by family

CARROLL RICHARD BAKER, age 92, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2024. He was born on November 14, 1932, to Nelson R. and Dorothy P. (Quick) Baker. A lifelong resident of Cincinnati, he graduated from Western Hills High School in 1951. During his teen years, he was an active participant in DeMolay International, and later became a member of Western Hills-Cheviot Lodge 140 of the freemasons. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1952, serving on active duty for 4 years as an aviation machinist’s mate, then in the Navy Reserves on an air crew for 36 more years until his discharge in 1993. He was proud to have attained the rank of Chief E-7. When he returned from active duty in 1956, he enrolled at the University of Cincinnati, where he met his wife, Carol. They were married for 64 years. He took a position with the City of Cincinnati, left to work for a short period of time at General Electric, then returned to employment with the City, where he remained for 30+ years. Most of his career was in the buildings department, conducting inspections, attending hearings, and overseeing city demolition projects. Bake encouraged Carol’s various activities, including her singing in the church choir before and after they married (for 71+ years now), and being a teacher and supervisor with CHPC’s Swim Ministry for 37 summers.

Flying was his great love. He earned his private pilot’s license in the mid-1960s, and later became a flight instructor. It was his great joy to share his love for small craft aviation with eager students. In keeping with his interest in flying, he participated in Civil Air Patrol, enjoyed spending time at Lunken, Blue Ash, and Clermont County airports, attended AirVenture Oshkosh, and volunteered at the Dayton Airshow. He enjoyed history, the outdoors, and travel. The family often vacationed in the Smoky Mountains, staying at the same motel where Bake & Carol had honeymooned, biking and exploring in Cades Cove, and hiking to overlooks and waterfalls. As a couple, Bake and Carol visited Washington DC, Williamsburg, Niagara Falls, and drove all around Florida with dear friends. They took several bus trips with Ohio retired teachers, including sightseeing in New England and at Fallingwater. They cruised with friends to the Caribbean, Alaska, New England/Eastern Canada, and around the Hawaiian islands. As active members of their community, they participated in College Hill’s Citizens on Patrol and volunteered for many Derby Day parties held at Laurel Court.

He leaves his wife Carol, two children, Amy (Gary) Kindell and Dale (Lisa) Baker, four grandchildren, Jacob (Kaylee) and Nyjoel Baker, and Ryan and Laura Kindell, and four great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held at 12 noon on Friday, December 27, with a memorial service at 1:00 p.m., at College Hill Presbyterian Church, 5742 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45224. View the livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/live/T8l0SpEafgE. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 633597, Cincinnati, OH 45263-3597, https://hospiceofcincinnati.org/donate/, or to The Sporty’s Foundation, which supports young people in pursuit of their aviation dreams, 2001 Sporty’s Drive, Batavia, OH 45103, https://sportysfoundation.org/donate/.