In Memoriam: Thomas D. Baker, LTC (Ret.) (1941-2024)

Thomas D. Baker, age 83, passed away Monday, March 11, 2024 surrounded by his family. He was born on January 19, 1941 in Muskegon, Michigan to Donald and Irene (Armstrong) Baker. Tom (aka, the Colonel) went to earn his nurse anesthetist degree from Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He earned the rank of Lt. Colonel after serving in Vietnam and retired with 23 years of service to our country.

Upon retiring from the Army, he worked at Gerber Hospital in Fremont, Michigan for another 21 years before retiring in 2006. Tom was a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.

In his spare time, Tom enjoyed fly fishing around the country and overseas, and was a lifetime member of Trout Unlimited. He also enjoyed hunting, golfing, playing poker and other card games with family and friends. On September 16, 2000, he married the former Patricia VanderWier Cobb, and she survives him, along with Tom’s two daughters, Suzanne (Scott Remling) Baker and Laura (Jeffrey) Nielsen; Pat’s children, Frank (Lisa) Cobb and children, Jimmy and Noah Cobb; Catherine (fiancé, Volker Plehn) Wigent and children; Patrick and Kurt Wigent; Christine (Mike) Clover and children; Tommy, Julia and Anna Clover; and Colleen (Dan) Hoffer and children; Jake and Ben Hoffer; sister, Jane Barclay; niece, Amanda (Kurt) Barclay-Emery, and many extended family members. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Irene Baker.

A Celebration of Life for Tom will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI 49444 with Pastor Glenn Wagner officiating. Visitation with Tom’s family will be one hour prior to the service, from 1-2 p.m. Memorial Contributions in Tom’s name may be given to Harbor Hospice or Community United Methodist Church in North Muskegon. Share memories with the family online at www.sytsemafh.com.

This obituary was originally published in the Muskegon Chronicle.