Death of Dr. E. Dewitt Baker

1919--2000

Steve Dennie

May 2000

Occasionally, men of extraordinary character and accomplishment walk among us, and we benefit from their godly service and example. Call them giants. The United Brethren church has known its share of giants--Otterbein, Boehm, Newcomer, Wright, Fleming, and others. Men like this don't come in abundance, but we've always had a few around.

During the past year and a half, however, three United Brethren giants passed from our midst. First was industrialist Orville Merillat, whose generosity advanced so many causes--Huntington College, camping, missions, local churches, and much, much more. He died in January 1999. Later that year, Bishop Emeritus Clyde W. Meadows died at age 99. He was, without a doubt, the most influential United Brethren of this century.

Then yesterday, we lost one more giant.

Dr. E. Dewitt Baker passed away Sunday, May 21. He was 81 years old, and had been in failing health for some time. Dr. Baker's life centered around two exemplary careers--16 years as a missionary in Sierra Leone, followed by 16 years as President of Huntington College. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and children Ron, Joyce, and Annette.

Earl DeWitt Baker was born January 13, 1919, and grew up on a farm in Hillsdale, Mich. He graduated from Huntington College in 1940 with a Chemistry degree. While touring with the Huntington College choir, he met his wife, Evelyn. They were married in 1942 in Convoy, Ohio.

Following college, DeWitt taught school for a year, then enlisted in the Navy. During World War II, he served as a pilot in the Atlantic theater, and later, as a test pilot for the PBM Martin Mariner flying boats at Patuxent River, Maryland. After the war, Dewitt became a teacher and principal at schools in Michigan. On the side, he earned a Masters degree from the University of Michigan (later, during missionary furloughs, he would earn a doctorate from the same school).

Then, in 1949, the Bakers answered the call to fulltime missionary service. They spent 16 years in Sierra Leone. Dr. Baker spearheaded the organization of over 20 schools, and he founded both UB two high schools--Centennial (1955) and Bumpe (1963). One son, eight-year-old Norman, was killed (along with several others) in a riverboat accident; he was buried in Sierra Leone. The other son, Ron (who survived the same accident), later served in Sierra Leone as a UB missionary doctor.

In 1965, Dr. Baker returned to the United States to serve as president of Huntington College. During his 16 years as president, the College experienced significant enrollment growth, and its net worth increased 600 percent. Several new facilities were added, including Hardy Hall, the Huntington Union Building (HUB), the current President's home, and the original Merillat Physical Education Center. In addition, Lake Sno-Tip was developed and the 77-acre Thornhill Nature Preserve was acquired. New majors were launched in accounting, medical technology, and recreation management, and the Graduate School of Christian Ministries was formed. Baker Hall, a student residence, is named in his honor.

Dewitt and Evelyn Baker with children (l-r) Annette,
Ron, and Joyce.

After retiring as president of Huntington College in 1981, Dr. Baker remained active as an unofficial "Goodwill Ambassador" on behalf of the college and of UB missions.

But enough with accomplishments. Dr. Baker was a man of deep character. He was highly educated, yet humble, approachable, warm, interested. He was a prayer warrior; he would attend a church prayer breakfast, then come to the UB Headquarters for the morning prayer time, so he could keep up on prayer needs--and he always had the latest update. He visited people who needed visited, was always willing to help, and rarely forgot a face or name. He loved to go fishing, and had hilarious stories to tell. He was a giant in many ways, but there was no aura about him, nothing which radiated success. Dr. Baker was just a good, good man, totally genuine, who loved people as much as he loved his God.

Dr. Baker's memoirs, "Pilot, Principal, and President," will be published by early July. For more information, contact the Alumni Office at 219-359-4097. Email: jhoffman@huntington.edu

Visitation

Visitation is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, at Deal Robbins & VanGilder Funeral Home (338 E. Washington, Huntington, IN, 46750, 219-356-2720). The home is located three blocks east of the downtown; Guilford Street, which runs past the UB Headquarters building, intersects E. Washington next to the funeral home--a big, orange brick place. Viewing will also be possible on Wednesday from 9-10, during the hour preceding the funeral.

Funeral

The memorial service is at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 24, at College Park Church (1945 College Ave, Huntington, 219-356-2642).

Burial

A graveside service will be held Wednesday afternoon at Bankers Cemetery, Hillsdale, Mich.

Tributes

Family, friends, and colleagues of E. DeWitt Baker are invited to send reminiscences of Dr. Baker to John Paff, editor of the Huntington College magazine. These will be used to compile a tribute to Dr. Baker on the HC web site and in the Autumn 2000 issue of HC's alumni magazine.

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