Walter W. Baker, 89 of Bowling Green Ohio passed away on Monday April 22, 2024. He was born on July 27, 1934, to the late Ralph and Mary (Burnham) Baker. He married his late wife Kathryn Leonard on June 15, 1958, she preceded him in death on May 4, 1980. He met Grace McDonald, and they married on September 27, 1983. She survives in Bowling Green, Ohio.
Dr. Walter Baker, Professor Emeritus of the College of Musical Arts at Bowling Green State University taught piano studies at BGSU from 1967 to 2001 and at the university of Wisconsin Milwaukee from 1961 to 1967. Dr. Baker earned Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan. He was a winner of the Grinnell Foundation Scholarship and the Piano – Concerto competitions of the Grand Rapids Symphony and Interlochen Orchestras in Michigan. He was an active solo and chamber music performer earning four university research grants to perform contemporary piano music. He appeared every year at the College New Music Festival at BGSU from 1980 to 1997. He appeared in numerous orchestra concerts as concerto soloist in Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and with the University and Bowling Green Civic Symphony Orchestra. After retiring, he continued to give concerts as performing for others was his passion. Walter loved and dedicated his life to music. Outside of music he enjoyed cross country and downhill skiing, traveling, biking, and swimming. He served in the National Guard for the Army Reserves, was a member of the Toledo Skii Club and First United Methodist Church. Above all things he loved spending time with his grandchildren. He will be missed dearly by his friends and family.
Along with his wife Grace, Walter is survived by his daughter Dot (Matt Eifrid) Barnes of Bowling Green, Ohio, step-children Richard Feagler of Coco Beach, Florida, Linda Feagler of Bowling Green, Ohio, Cathy (Bob) Caffrey of Norton, Ohio, Bruce Feagler of Bowling Green, Ohio, grandchildren Jessica (Jason) Brown, Carter (Hayley) Laytart, Parker Barnes, step-grandchildren Allyson Caffrey, Angela Caffrey, Bryanna Feagler, great-grandchildren Alex Brown, Jaxon Brown, Jameson Brown, Murphy Louise Laytart and step-greatgrandchild Adam.
He is preceded in death by his late wife Kathryn, parents, brother Bruce Baker and sister Joyce Green.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Wood Haven and Bowling Green Manor for the exceptional care that they had given to Walter.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Dunn Funeral Home located in the Historical District of Bowling Green, Ohio at 408 W. Wooster St. His funeral service will be on Friday April 26, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Dunn funeral home. Reverend Andrea Curry will officiate. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.
To leave an online condolence or fond memory with the family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
