Charles “Skip” Baker
Charles B. Baker (he won’t tell you what the B stood for), known to all as Skip, unless you were an effing telemarketer, passed away on September 21, 2021. Scott says he waited for his birthday to pass “cuz Dad loves me best”, which we all say. Proud husband, dad, papa/grampa, veteran, and lover of Rainier beer passed away at home with Bebe there. Just how he wanted it.
Born in Port Townsend 27 Jan 1934, Skip was big brother to Bette, Shari and Bob. At seven he delivered milk. At 18 he got bit by a king rattler at WSU, leaving a big scar on his belly, or maybe it was a burst appendix. Later he went off to Panama to be an MP and play baseball for the army. And in 1958 he went to Seattle U, where he met his Irish washer woman, Bebe O’Brien.
Lots of good friends and fun times ensued over the decades. Cowboy dancing in the living room, ski trips, rodeo, jumping out from under beds yelling “KATO!”. Willie on the 8-track, daily soaks in the hot tub, Lake Washington day cruises & summer vacations in the San Juans on the SixPak. Lots of good times.
4 kids and 8 grandkids later, Skip and Bebe spent their retirement going to baseball games, football games, basketball games, soccer matches, cheerleader competitions, choral concerts, graduations, and anything else that involved loving on the grandkids. He was a well-known entity in the Sammamish Plateau sports world and will surely be missed at the games.
Skip/Dad/Grampa/Papa will be missed by Bebe, Scott, Tracy, Jill, Jody, Fritzy, Lance, Nigel, Axel, Lizzie, Jack, Will, Katie, True, Steele & Brix. And a whole lot of other people.
There will be a military service on Thursday Oct 14, 12:15 at Tahoma National Cemetery (18600 SE 240th St, Kent WA 98042), immediately followed by a reception at Scott & Tracy’s house in Sammamish (contact any of us for the address). Pumpkin pie, lemon drops and Rainier beer will be served, naturally, and Waylon & Willie will be playing. Dad was a casual man — suit and tie NOT required. A sweatshirt with the sleeves cut off at the elbows would be more appropriate.
Two things, Dad. We got cold beer for you, and YES we’ve checked the oil. “Shiiii…”
8 Responses to “Charles “Skip” Baker”
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I’m sorry for your loss but boy did he know how to live. 🙏❤️
So sorry for your loss Jody and Fritz.
I know your parents meant a lot to you.
Take care. Hugs
Enjoyed reading about your dad!
Margaret & Paul
Love you all 😘❤️. Uncle Skip always had a smile. What a beautiful family he and BeBe have. So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all always. Doug and girls.
Hands down the best words for a pretty great guy.
I’ll have a Rainier , or two, in your memory my friend. A pleasure knowing you.
Little misses you “ woofing” in harmony with her !
We have to agree, great guy, loved those ballgame watching the G kids play what ever sport it was. We’ll all miss you Skip but know you’re still watching them from above .
Oh, Bebe, I am so sorry to hear. My heart is breaking for you. Huge prayers for you and your family. Take care of yourself. Much love to you.
Although I will not be present in flesh I will be present in spirit and thoughts and wonderful memories!!
I have been collecting my thoughts of Skip over the last few days and I am very proud to have Skip Baker as my friend and travel companion.
He was a kind gentleman with skills and courage and demonstrated them several times whilst during our time together on the 6-PAK. ( although he did not enjoy guitar music on the dock with the Boy Scout Leader, lol } Roasted Almonds will forever be in my travelbag!!! Skip knew how to use almonds to trowel for fried abalone tips! { Plumber’s Helper }.
Skip was a fervent Huskies fan and on occasion painted and decorated my little Corvair PURPLE. ( I have commented elsewhere on the nifty little Black quilt with Orange satin border and PURPLE W ) I contributed many frowns and $1 bills!
We shared quite a few drams of Murphy’s Irish Whiskey during those scary ‘traded-haircuts’ on SE 8th.
We made several batches of good home brew together during those tight money years 1962 , 1963.
We both bought Lots at Waverly Hills in Sammamish. Private swimming and boat dock. Smart investments!
He introduced me to fine California sunshine living and hot tub life, whilst with SeaLand in Walnut Creek. ( I did not purposely lose the Hockey-Game during the move from the Carousel Court ! )
Visits to San Diego were always filled with fun, Bull Frogs, and sporty teasing each other.
He named me Fire God and he was named Kato, by Coyote, Will Moore. ( I will not explain here.)
The time spent in Cabo San Lucas is well documented so I will not go into that!!
That goes for the trip thru the Panama Canal as well.
Oh how I ramble, but the times and great man brings that out.
HE WAS A GREAT MAN AND I AM HONORED TO HAVE HIM AS A FRIEND!!!
( he’ll know I am there with you all )
BLESSINGS!!! Hub
Bebe – Chuck and Susan Hoeflein here. I was trying to send Hub a message but no one does email anymore. I came upon this announcement. I am so sorry to hear the news. You all were friends for so many years. I am now 81 with issues and Charles is 88 and disabled and getting dementia. Not the retirement I had hoped for but he is still with me.
Can you tell me how I can contact Hub. Is he still at Casa de las Campansas?