Ken Baker
01-08-2019
Ken Baker, a longtime resident of Houston, TX, passed away on January 8, 2019 after a short illness. He is the son of Helen and Harold Baker. Ken graduated from Hope College in Holland, Michigan with a degree in mathematics and physics, and attended Rensselaer College in New York before joining NASA in 1962. Ken recently retired from Johnson Space Center after 55 years. He is survived by his cousins, Lorraine Moniz and her husband, Matt, and Connie Waldrop and her husband Rob. Ken worked on many space projects and received many recognition awards. A memorial service is being planned at Crowder’s Funeral Home on Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 7:30pm.
I was fortune enough to work with Ken on several different projects during my career at NASA/JSC. In particular I remember our work in instrumentation to support automated rendezvous and docking and also to accomplish automated landing. Both of these efforts were in context with a return to Mars (manned or unmanned).
Ken was polite, quiet, and restrained in his demeanor but he had a level of determination and an opinion that would be exerted when required. I enjoyed his company and have missed having him as a colleague.
My condolences go out to his family.
It was my privilege to be Ken’s Hope College friend over 20 years of visits with him in my work on behalf of the College. At NASA, over lunch or dinner, coffee dates and, in later years, at his home, it was always a joy to be with Ken. I appreciate his philanthropic generosity, genuine interest in the progress of our students, eager spirit, great questions, and him as a constant source of support and encouragement for me personally and professionally. We will miss him, indeed, at Hope College.
I worked with Ken for quite awhile and was said already he was a quiet unassuming intelligent personality who always listened before speaking and had kind words for everyone. Since I retired in 2004 I’m sure that’s the last I saw of Ken. I’m surprised he worked so long but that is the kind of dedication I remember he had. My condolences to his family and friends
I had the honor of sharing an office with Ken over the past several years. At first there were other people, but eventually it was just Ken and I. I recall having long and detailed conversations with him within the past few years and thinking I hope to have half that much cognition if I reach that age. As his health declined and I became consumed in other projects we saw each other less and less. I did see him late last year shortly before he retired, and he was the same intelligent and thoughtful person in our brief conversation. I was sad that he did not get to recoup the incredible service he has made to the space program in retirement, but Ken knew well that this was the place where he was most fulfilled and he knowingly made that trade.
He will be missed and remembered.
I become Ken Bakers Caregiver back in 2010 we grew very close as years went by I called him dad about three years in to our relationship
We were inseparable every day together caring and loving him more than any otherhe was so compassionate and generous. Always just him and I. I miss him more than you can possibly imagine. it is hard and it is going to take longer to heal he called me every day and we would go out to eat
He loved me so much because I was always there we he needed me and he for me thank you to my honorary dad for all you have giving me as a daughter I love you always and miss you more . I love you your honorary daughter Cindy Robinson