Graeme L. Baker

Graeme L. Baker, 99, passed away after a short illness on April 1, 2024. 

He was born in Kalispell on March 7, 1925, to Graeme B. and Rose L. Baker. Growing up in Kalispell during the Great Depression, he developed a keen interest in science and electronics. A teacher urged him to attend a course in amateur (ham) radio and he received his ham license at age 11, becoming one of the youngest persons to earn a ham license in the country.

He began his college education at Montana State College in Bozeman at age 16, majoring in chemistry.

In 1944, he joined the U.S. Navy as an electronics technician and was posted to the Pacific island of Saipan, where he helped operate and maintain the Navy’s large radio transmitting station.

After returning to civilian life, he completed his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in chemistry at MSC. He continued studying chemistry at the University of Maryland and again at MSC, eventually earning a Ph.D. in chemistry. After receiving his doctorate from MSC, he was appointed to the chemistry faculty there. 

As a grad student at the University of Maryland, he met a young woman and she ended up bearing a child. The child was a daughter and was given up for adoption. About four years ago, she used one of the ancestor search companies to locate my dad and introduce herself to him. They were both very happy to be back in touch and Susan visited the ranch where she met the rest of her previously unknown family.

Graeme married Hazel Swenson of Billings in 1949. In 1968, he was appointed the chairman of the chemistry department at Florida Technological University (later renamed the University of Central Florida) in Orlando, Florida. He retired from UCF in 1988 and bought property in Lincoln County, Montana where he and his children, Kim and Kari, raised horses and cattle. 

Graeme also renewed his interest in ham radio and enjoyed participating in the Lincoln County Amateur Radio Group’s activities.

Graeme is survived by his half-brother, Gordon Baker; daughter, Susan Willson; son, Kile; and twins daughters, Kim and Kari.

Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby, Montana. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.