Obituary for Frank C. "Buzz" Baker, Jr.
Frank “Buzz” C. Baker, Jr. crossed the final goal line and rounded the final bases on August 25th, 2022, at the age of 78, after battling aggressive Alzheimer’s and other medical complications.
Buzz was born July 10, 1944 to Frank C. Sr. and Gladys E. Baker, in St. Joseph, Missouri, where he and his beloved sister Jane grew up, and where he met and dated his eventual wife and life-partner, Teresa “Terry” Hamilton. Buzz starred on several sports teams for Lafayette High School, and then at Harvard University (‘66) including being named All Ivy League, All New England and All East for football and New England Select for rugby. After working client-side with companies like Frito-Lay, Buzz began a long and successful career in marketing and advertising agencies at Fletcher / Mayo in St. Joseph, MO, and then at CMF&Z (a Young & Rubicam affiliate) in Cedar Rapids, IA. Between 1981-2001, he worked his way from Account Manager to President & CEO while helping CMF&Z become Young & Rubicam’s largest B2B operation, but always while spreading accolades to the wonderful colleagues (and clients) with whom he cherished working, and after often being heard saying “Plan your work then work your plan” he believed work without passion and fun was simply just stress. One of his favorite witticisms, always said with that mischievous twinkle in his eyes, was “Well, of all the ideas I’ve heard…that is certainly one of them.”
While at CMF&Z, Buzz also delighted in creating, coaching, and playing with, the “Badfish Gerbils” softball team, who participated in, and won several Advertising Softball World Series Championships, where he relished the camaraderie of his teammates, the fierce competition on the fields, and the ensuing celebrations with those competitors after each game.
After retiring from CMF&Z, he and Terry moved to Rockford, MI in 2002 where Buzz did consulting work for various companies, but also started volunteering significant time and energy with various organizations and nonprofits. He was particularly proud of his work on the Board of Feeding America West Michigan, which provided over 20 million meals annually to those in need, and was later honored with an award for his service to the organization. Buzz was also passionate about his service for the Harvard Radcliffe Club of West Michigan, particularly in interviewing and often mentoring Harvard College applicants and students, and helped sponsor the Harvard Prize Book Award for outstanding Michigan high school junior students at Rockford, Saugatuck, Cedar Springs, and The Potter’s House high schools. He also collaborated with the Harvard Radcliffe Club of Kansas City and was thrilled to facilitate the awarding of the Harvard Prize Book at his alma mater, Lafayette High School. Buzz would often comment on the many life successes the interviewees and mentees he advised garnered. He also took pride in serving on the board of the Rogue Riverwoods Neighborhood Association.
When not working or volunteering, Buzz would either be playing or watching sports. Before split-screen TV was invented, he would set up multiple TVs in the living room to watch football and March Madness games simultaneously. The intensity with which he watched sports, particularly while sitting with his sister Jane, was something to behold but not to interfere. Buzz also loved road trips whether they be family ski trips to Vail, summer vacations at the Baker clan’s camp in Minocqua, WI, or “down at the beach” at the Hamilton/Reel cottage in Saugatuck, MI. He loved them not just because he enjoyed planning them, but because of the joy it brought for others.
From teaching children how to swim at Krug Pool, to leading teammates at Lafayette High School or Harvard University, to playing on the Wendy’s softball team and coaching the Badfish Gerbils, to mentoring West Michigan high schoolers interested in attending his beloved Harvard, to serving on numerous advisory councils and boards that truly made others’ lives better, Buzz was a quiet leader and ardent mentor for many. Always listening with an ear and mind that could discern whether someone was seeking an opinion or advice, Buzz had an amazing ability to offer thoughtful commentary or advice without preaching or lecturing. Often his words at the time turned out to be prophetic or transformative. Aside from the sage advice he often provided, Buzz also brought so much joy and laughter to the lives of all who knew him, who in turn brought him joy and laughter that he never forgot and often recalled.
Buzz will be truly missed but never forgotten, and leaves behind his loving spouse Teresa “Terry” Hamilton Baker, son and daughter-in-law Scott and Becca Baker, his adoring grandchildren Noah, Elsa & Sylvie Baker who brought him endless joy, cousin Pam Hoeland and family, cousin Peggy Baker and brother-in-law William “Bill'' Waldie, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves behind countless colleagues, friends, and teammates; please all know the joy you brought to Buzz’s life.
Buzz was predeceased by his father Frank, Sr., mother Gladys, sister Jane, Uncle Paul and Aunt Edna, and most of his immediate family.
The family would like all who knew Buzz to know that they were quickly overwhelmed with how rapidly Alzheimer’s affected his overall health, and had to focus their energy on relocating he and Terry to Vermont so his remaining few months were shared with immediate family and constant care. We realize that many of you may have reached out to Buzz and not received a reply or an outreach from family, and we hope you now understand why.
The family would like to thank Dr. Iris Boettcher (MI) for her role in identifying Dad’s Alzheimer’s, the staff at the Residences at Quarry Hill and especially the caring Reflections Nurses (VT), Dr Scott & Tracy Perrapato (VT) for their personal and medical assistance provided to Buzz, and his beloved niece, Kate Tarkington (VT), for her love and assistance to Buzz and family during the final months, and minutes, of his life.
Per Buzz’s wishes there will be no services held at this time, as he wished for all who knew him to remember him within that context. Inurnment at St. Joseph (MO) Memorial Park Cemetery will be private and at the convenience of the immediate family. Buzz espoused humility, abhorred pomp, and never wanted to be a burden on anyone in any way, so his inurnment will reflect these beliefs.
Memorial contributions in Buzz’s memory may be made to Feeding America West Michigan, the McClure Miller Respite House (Colchester, VT), or the Alzheimer’s Association or Harvard Scholarship.
The family would love for you to share your favorite memories and any photos of Buzz here on this webpage so that any of us who loved Buzz can see them.
Buzz was born July 10, 1944 to Frank C. Sr. and Gladys E. Baker, in St. Joseph, Missouri, where he and his beloved sister Jane grew up, and where he met and dated his eventual wife and life-partner, Teresa “Terry” Hamilton. Buzz starred on several sports teams for Lafayette High School, and then at Harvard University (‘66) including being named All Ivy League, All New England and All East for football and New England Select for rugby. After working client-side with companies like Frito-Lay, Buzz began a long and successful career in marketing and advertising agencies at Fletcher / Mayo in St. Joseph, MO, and then at CMF&Z (a Young & Rubicam affiliate) in Cedar Rapids, IA. Between 1981-2001, he worked his way from Account Manager to President & CEO while helping CMF&Z become Young & Rubicam’s largest B2B operation, but always while spreading accolades to the wonderful colleagues (and clients) with whom he cherished working, and after often being heard saying “Plan your work then work your plan” he believed work without passion and fun was simply just stress. One of his favorite witticisms, always said with that mischievous twinkle in his eyes, was “Well, of all the ideas I’ve heard…that is certainly one of them.”
While at CMF&Z, Buzz also delighted in creating, coaching, and playing with, the “Badfish Gerbils” softball team, who participated in, and won several Advertising Softball World Series Championships, where he relished the camaraderie of his teammates, the fierce competition on the fields, and the ensuing celebrations with those competitors after each game.
After retiring from CMF&Z, he and Terry moved to Rockford, MI in 2002 where Buzz did consulting work for various companies, but also started volunteering significant time and energy with various organizations and nonprofits. He was particularly proud of his work on the Board of Feeding America West Michigan, which provided over 20 million meals annually to those in need, and was later honored with an award for his service to the organization. Buzz was also passionate about his service for the Harvard Radcliffe Club of West Michigan, particularly in interviewing and often mentoring Harvard College applicants and students, and helped sponsor the Harvard Prize Book Award for outstanding Michigan high school junior students at Rockford, Saugatuck, Cedar Springs, and The Potter’s House high schools. He also collaborated with the Harvard Radcliffe Club of Kansas City and was thrilled to facilitate the awarding of the Harvard Prize Book at his alma mater, Lafayette High School. Buzz would often comment on the many life successes the interviewees and mentees he advised garnered. He also took pride in serving on the board of the Rogue Riverwoods Neighborhood Association.
When not working or volunteering, Buzz would either be playing or watching sports. Before split-screen TV was invented, he would set up multiple TVs in the living room to watch football and March Madness games simultaneously. The intensity with which he watched sports, particularly while sitting with his sister Jane, was something to behold but not to interfere. Buzz also loved road trips whether they be family ski trips to Vail, summer vacations at the Baker clan’s camp in Minocqua, WI, or “down at the beach” at the Hamilton/Reel cottage in Saugatuck, MI. He loved them not just because he enjoyed planning them, but because of the joy it brought for others.
From teaching children how to swim at Krug Pool, to leading teammates at Lafayette High School or Harvard University, to playing on the Wendy’s softball team and coaching the Badfish Gerbils, to mentoring West Michigan high schoolers interested in attending his beloved Harvard, to serving on numerous advisory councils and boards that truly made others’ lives better, Buzz was a quiet leader and ardent mentor for many. Always listening with an ear and mind that could discern whether someone was seeking an opinion or advice, Buzz had an amazing ability to offer thoughtful commentary or advice without preaching or lecturing. Often his words at the time turned out to be prophetic or transformative. Aside from the sage advice he often provided, Buzz also brought so much joy and laughter to the lives of all who knew him, who in turn brought him joy and laughter that he never forgot and often recalled.
Buzz will be truly missed but never forgotten, and leaves behind his loving spouse Teresa “Terry” Hamilton Baker, son and daughter-in-law Scott and Becca Baker, his adoring grandchildren Noah, Elsa & Sylvie Baker who brought him endless joy, cousin Pam Hoeland and family, cousin Peggy Baker and brother-in-law William “Bill'' Waldie, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves behind countless colleagues, friends, and teammates; please all know the joy you brought to Buzz’s life.
Buzz was predeceased by his father Frank, Sr., mother Gladys, sister Jane, Uncle Paul and Aunt Edna, and most of his immediate family.
The family would like all who knew Buzz to know that they were quickly overwhelmed with how rapidly Alzheimer’s affected his overall health, and had to focus their energy on relocating he and Terry to Vermont so his remaining few months were shared with immediate family and constant care. We realize that many of you may have reached out to Buzz and not received a reply or an outreach from family, and we hope you now understand why.
The family would like to thank Dr. Iris Boettcher (MI) for her role in identifying Dad’s Alzheimer’s, the staff at the Residences at Quarry Hill and especially the caring Reflections Nurses (VT), Dr Scott & Tracy Perrapato (VT) for their personal and medical assistance provided to Buzz, and his beloved niece, Kate Tarkington (VT), for her love and assistance to Buzz and family during the final months, and minutes, of his life.
Per Buzz’s wishes there will be no services held at this time, as he wished for all who knew him to remember him within that context. Inurnment at St. Joseph (MO) Memorial Park Cemetery will be private and at the convenience of the immediate family. Buzz espoused humility, abhorred pomp, and never wanted to be a burden on anyone in any way, so his inurnment will reflect these beliefs.
Memorial contributions in Buzz’s memory may be made to Feeding America West Michigan, the McClure Miller Respite House (Colchester, VT), or the Alzheimer’s Association or Harvard Scholarship.
The family would love for you to share your favorite memories and any photos of Buzz here on this webpage so that any of us who loved Buzz can see them.