Paul LeRoy Baker

Paul L. Baker of Grasonville, MD, died December 28, 2012, at the Queen Anne’s Emergency Center at the age of 85. He was born in York, PA, on September 10, 1927, to Vernon F. and Sarah E. Baker and was preceded in death by his son, Gary Baker. Paul graduated from high school and enlisted immediately in Navy Air during WWII and served for two years. After his discharge, he enrolled at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics and earned his Aircraft and Engine diploma and throughout his life took college courses at Emory University. He began his aviation career at Trenton-Robbinsville Airport, McGuire Air Force Base, Middletown Air National Command and Curtiss-Wright Corp. who manufactured jet engines. He became very proficient on jet engines and was known through the aviation industry for his expertise. During his employment with Curtiss-Wright, he was the Technical Representative at Edwards Air Force Base and covered the 55th and 77th Fighter Bomber Squadrons in Braintree, England. Paul returned to the States and was assigned to Quonset Point Naval Base in North Kingston, RI, where he covered the Blue Angels for many years. His favorite challenge was the new high-speed train powered by jet engines, which was developed and manufactured by United Technologies. Paul was Superintendent at Fields Point, RI and the Turbo-Train ran between Boston, MA, and Penn Station in New York City. Amtrak then assigned him to the Renssselaer Overhaul Facility in New York as Superintendent and those trains ran between New York City and Buffalo, NY. He then went to work for the National Transportation Safety Board and was the only employee who could investigate both train and airplane accidents. He was Chief of the Engineering Division when he retired in 1994. Paul was a member of the VFW Post 7464, the American Legion Post 0278, the Ox5 Avation Pioneers, the Overseas Lodge #40 AF & AM of Rhode Island and the Prospect Bay Country Club. He and his wife, Charmaine Baker, whom he married on April 4, 1948, retired in Prospect Bay. He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Baker of Mission Viejo, CA; son, Todd Baker and his wife, Lerma Baker, of Henderson, NV; two granddaughters, Rachel Baker and Lauren Baker, both of San Jose, CA; and a daughter in-law, Anita Baker, of San Jose, CA. A funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at the Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A. in Chester, MD, where friends may call beginning at 11 am. Burial will be held in York at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Memorial and Tribute Processing Center, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216.

Paul LeRoy Baker

September 10, 1927 - December 28, 2012