Lt. Col. Robert W. Baker

Robert W. Baker, 90, of Fort Myers, FL and formerly of Springfield, East Longmeadow, and Chicopee, MA, died early Monday morning, December 6, 2021 in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his loving family. Bob was a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the USAF and a Vice President and Mortgage Officer of the former Springfield 5 Cents Savings Bank.  He was born and educated in Springfield, MA, son of the late Robert L. and Isabel (Thrasher) Baker and was a graduate of Springfield Technical High School Class of 1949. He was a veteran of the Berlin Crisis, serving his country as a tactical fighter pilot and retired as Lieutenant Colonel with the 131st Tactical Fighter Squadron of the Massachusetts Air National Guard based out of Barnes Air Base in Westfield, MA. During his career with the Air National Guard, Bob flew several single engine jet aircraft including the F-94, F-86, F-84, F-100 and the A-10 Warthog.  In his civilian career, Bob was employed in the banking industry for more than forty years with the former Springfield 5 Cent Savings Bank, Community Savings Bank, Springfield National Bank, and Valley Bank.  In his retirement years, Bob enjoyed restoring vintage 1955 – 1962 Classic Ford Thunderbird cars earning the highest national awards possible for his restorations. He leaves his best friend and devoted wife of 67 years, Rosemary (Davis) Baker of Fort Myers; and leaves three daughters, Linda Baker Lynch and her husband Tom Lynch of Myrtle Beach, SC, Susan Atwater of Fort Myers, FL, and Brenda Palangio of Plainville, MA; two granddaughters, Lauren Muirhead and her husband Richard, and Meredith Atwater; and two great-grandsons, Robert and William Muirhead.  Bob’s family wishes to thank his home health aides and the staff at Hope Hospice for the exceptionally compassionate care they provided for him.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory may be sent to Hope Hospice, Attn: Donations, 9470 Healthpark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908. Family and friends will gather on Friday, August 26th at 11:00 AM in the Baker family lot at Hillcrest Park Cemetery, 895 Parker Street, Springfield, MA. Military burial services will begin with a Fly Over by the Air National Guard, followed by a graveside service and conclude with Military Honors by the United States Air Force Honor Team from Westover Air Force Base.