Obituary: William F. Baker, Founder of Instrument Dynamic

Obituary from Campbell - Lee, Moody Russell Funeral Home.

William F. Baker, greatly beloved husband of Karen Gould Baker (and her son, Dallas Gould) and brother of Ruth Coogan and her son, Jay Coogan (and her predeceased twins, Geoffrey and Gregory). William (Bill) Baker, 86, of Essex, MA; died, following a long brave battle for 2 ½ years, on March 2, 2015, at the Kaplan Family hospice House in Danvers.

He was the father of the late Stephen Baker, predeceased in 2013. He is survived by a daughter, Karen McNamara and his sons, Mark Baker and his wife Deborah and Christopher Baker and his wife Mei. He also leaves ten grandchildren. Bill was born October 19, 1928, the son of the Late Francis Edward Baker and Mary Tierney Baker of Somerville. He graduated from Boston College High School and Boston College (Physics, 1950)

He went to work at Dow Chemical, and was soon drafted into the Army (Korean War) where he sustained an injury. He later worked for Baird Atomic, Cambridge. As the founder of Instrument Dynamics, Bill was one of the pioneers of the Route 128 Technology Highway. He was the owner of several independent businesses. Many considered Bill a Renaissance Man, with his many interests and hobbies too numerous to mention, but most notably: throwing pottery (developed glazes still used by other NE potters) modeling tall ships, building children’s rocking horses, other toys and growing orchids. An author, he wrote books and articles about tall ships, especially tea clippers, including the slave trade. His first book, “Running Her Easting Down,” was also his favorite.

Bill’s civic life included the Beverly Planning Board, Beverly Airport Commission, and Friends of the Beverly Public Library.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Church, 52 Main St. (Rte. 133) Essex, MA. Saturday, March 14, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. There are no Visiting Hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your favorite charity. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral .com