THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 2, 1996 TAG: 9603020210
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
John W. Baker Jr., 53, of the 900 block of Hanover Ave., died March 1, 1996, in his home. He was married to Elizabeth Taylor Baker, his wife of 31 years, who survives him.
Dr. Baker was a general and thoracic surgeon with Norfolk Surgical Group and Professor of Surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School. He was distinguished in the medical profession as a practitioner, leader and teacher; was active in community service and civic causes; and was dedicated and devoted to his family.
Born in Suffolk as the only son of John W. Baker and Eva Dunn Morgan Baker, both of whom survive, Dr. Baker was valedictorian of Suffolk High School when graduating in 1960. He then became an undergraduate at Washington and Lee University, where he took his Bachelor of Science degree cum laude in 1964. While a student at Washington and Lee, Dr. Baker was captain of the tennis team, was a soloist for the Glee Club, and was director of the student a cappella singing group. He was inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership fraternity.
Dr. Baker continued his education at the University of Virginia Medical School, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Society and the Raven Club, and was first in his class upon graduation in 1968. His post-doctoral training continued at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, where he served his medical internship and residency, specializing in general and thoracic surgery, and ultimately becoming the Halsted Resident in Surgery. He received further training in Bristol, England, at the Frenchay Hospital.
Dr. Baker entered the practice of surgery in Norfolk in 1974 with Norfolk Surgical Group and Eastern Virginia Medical School. In addition to earning the customary medical board certificates, he was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
His surgical practice was noted for sensitive and caring treatment of patients and a lifelong study for better and improved surgical techniques. He was a member of the team of surgeons at his medical group who developed minimally invasive procedures for surgical treatment of the esophagus, colon, lung, adrenals, spleen and gastrointestinal tract.
A member of the medical staff of several local hospitals, Dr. Baker served as Chief of Surgery at Sentara Hospitals in 1979 and 1982, was a member of the Executive Committee, and was ultimately president of the medical staff of Sentara Hospitals from 1986 to 1989. He was a former president of the Virginia Surgical Society. He was also a member of the Society of Clinical Surgeons, the Southern Surgical Association and the Esophogeal Surgery Club.
As a teacher, Dr. Baker authored or co-authored more than 50 publications or presentations on various aspects of his surgical specialties. In 1983, he was named outstanding teacher at the Eastern Virginia Medical School Department of Surgery.
Dr. Baker at various times served as a volunteer fund-raiser for the Eastern Virginia Medical School and as chairman of the Physicians Section of the United Way Campaign for South Hampton Roads. He was also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he sang in the choir. His hobbies included tennis, golf and skiing, which he pursued with an ardent perfectionism and enthusiasm similar to that which he applied to his professional, civic and family responsibilities.
In addition to his wife and parents, Dr. Baker is survived by three children: Ann Parks Baker, a personnel executive for an investment banking firm in New York City; Elizabeth Madison Baker, a medical student at Eastern Virginia Medical School; and John William Baker III, a student at Old Dominion University.
A funeral service will be held Monday, March 4, at 10:30 a.m. in First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, with burial in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suffolk. Dr. J. Shepherd Russell will officiate. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Norfolk Chapel, is in charge.
The family has suggested that expressions of sympathy be in the form of donations to the Scholarship Fund at Eastern Virginia Medical School, Office of Development, P.O. Box 1980, Norfolk, Va.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB