Recent Obituaries

Donald Francis Baer (1927-2022)

Donald Francis Baer, an adoring husband and our beloved father, grandfather and friend to many passed away October 15, 2022. He lived a long and purposeful life and was always eager to help others. He was born on July 19,1927 in the city of New Castle, Pennsylvania, to Clarence Eugene Baer and Mabel Frances Baer. He was the youngest of five children. Together their family enjoyed traveling during the summers canoeing and camping to places such as the Adirondack Mountains. By the time Donald was in high school he had visited nearly every state in the U.S. Through these experiences, Donald learned the importance of bonding with family and being a good steward to the environment.

In 1945, Donald graduated from Springfield High School in Ohio. He was always very proud that he skipped his junior year to finish high school in just three years. Shortly after graduation he volunteered for immediate induction into the Army and was sent to Korea. By 1947, Donald was discharged from the Army and made a decision to move to his mother’s hometown of Seattle, Washington and enroll at the University of Washington. He quickly joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity, the crew team, and began studying Architecture. Coming to Seattle turned out to be the very best decision of his life because on a double date, he met the love of his life, Patrica Ann Lynch. While still in college they were married on August 31,1949 at the Epiphany Episcopal Church and remained married for over 73 years.

Don always had a great mind for design and systems and in1952 he began a construction company to build modern homes in the Seattle area. In 1954, he went to work for Lynch Manufacturing supervising the construction of the mill and upholstery division in Kent, Washington. Again Don transitioned. He began working in the lumber industry first with sawmills and later as a lumber broker for many years to support his wife and growing family.

He was always a lifelong learner and had a real eye for recognizing innovative ideas. He became fascinated with the newest technology of the time, computers, and in the late 1970’s he became an early adopter of computers for his lumber business. He was sure computers were going to take over the world and he certainly was right. This new interest again led him to change careers and he opened one of the first computer stores in downtown Kent. He had a brief retirement at 74, and at 76 years old he was persuaded to become the General Manager of the SW Suburban Sewer District to modernize their computers and overall systems for at least a year.

During his lifetime Donald was active in many volunteer positions. He served as a lead usher at his church, Board member at Kent Swim Club, Chair of Kent’s Planning Commission and Precinct, and volunteered on the Advisory Council for the Kent Public Schools and for numerous committees for the Republican Party of King County. Once in full retirement he became very active in the Seattle Electric Vehicle Association. Don had a passion for everything EV and he drove across the state talking to businesses about the need for EV charging stations along I-90. At the age of 84 he got his first electric car. At 90, he got his beloved Tesla which even he admitted was pretty techy for him. But being involved with new technology and younger peers was a great joy to Don throughout his life and it helped to keep him young at heart.

Donald passed away on October 15th, 2022 at 95 years old to meet his Lord and Savior and will be greatly missed by many. He was survived by his loving wife, Patricia Baer and his four children, David L. Baer (Leigh), Nancy Baer, Carolyn Dillon, and Joanne Berg (Randy), nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

A private memorial for family and friends will be held at Bellevue Presbyterian Church.