On July 19, Dick passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends. He was 86 years old and he had several lifetimes' worth of adventures in the one that he lived.He was born on January 26, 1930 to Lucy (Merritt) Baker and Paris (Pat) Baker in Denver, Colorado. His father died when he was 8 leaving the family in tough financial times through the depression and for several years after. He joined the United States Navy and served during the Korean War on the destroyer, USS Formoe in the Philippines. He returned and, using the GI Bill, went to what's now called the University of Northern Colorado and obtained his Bachelor of Education. He taught in Manzanola, Colorado, before striking out for Alaska. En route, he was recruited by the School Superintendent to the position of Industrial Arts teacher in Athabasca. He moved to Athabasca in 1958 where he taught at Edwin Parr Composite. In 1961, he earned an MA from Colorado State University. Back in Athabasca, he met a young nurse, Peggy Jones, and they married in early 1962. By the end of that year, they had a son - Pat. They moved to Desmarais, where Dick taught at the Mistassiniy School. While there, Dick and Peggy had 3 more daughters in rapid succession (Dorothy, Willa, and Janice). They moved back to the George Lake area of the County of Athabasca in 1968 and Dick returned to teaching at EPC. A fourth daughter, Barbara, was born in 1970. In 1972, Dick became a Canadian citizen and the high school band serenaded him with 'O Canada'. After his retirement from EPC, Dick taught at Portage College in Lac La Biche for a short period of time.In 2000, Dick and Peggy divorced and Dick moved to Calling Lake after selling the farm to his daughter Janice. He developed a special friendship with Kay Shaw that continued to the end.Dick was a man of a million interests. He was a wrestling coach, hunter and outdoorsman, canoeist, a pilot, a stock car racer, a log home builder, a mortician, a blacksmith, and a volunteer firefighter among many, many things. He was always learning something new.Dick leaves his son, Pat (Sandrine Trichard) and their sons Lucas and Léo Trichard-Baker, and 4 daughters – Dorothy Baker (Rick Glenn) and son Bentley Glenn; Willa Wanke (Jim Cramer) and daughter Erin Wanke; Janice Krawiec (Tom Krawiec) and children Sarah and Alex Sheremata; and Barbara Dalen (Dennis) and children Owen and Perri Dalen. He also leaves a brother, Arnie Jones, and brother-in-law, Fred Cunningham, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Lucy, his father Pat, his stepfather Marion Jones, and his older sister Anne Cunningham.A Celebration of Life will be held August 20 at 2 PM at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex. Following the celebration, join the family for a light lunch and, as Dick would have enjoyed, visiting and storytelling. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to help equip the shop at the new high school (Aspen View Public Schools - Baker Shop Fund) or the charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements are through Strome Memorial and Funeral Services Ltd, Box 120, Athabasca, AB T9S 2A2, 780-675-9806."Carpe Diem!"