Steven Robert Baker MD

Dr. Steven Robert Baker was a loving husband, spectacular father, treasured father-in-law and a devoted brother & friend. His passing leaves behind his devastated sons Paul (Cynthia) and Michael (Johanna), his daughter Debby (Brian) as well as 3 grandchildren and his own cherished sister and brothers.

Steven was born to Robert and Marcia Baker on October 13, 1948 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Along with his 3 younger brothers and sister he spent his childhood in the suburb of Wyoming and his large capacity for caring eventually led him into the medical field. He received his pre-med degree from Hope College and graduated with his MD from The University of Michigan School of Medicine. With his degree in hand, he started the residency program at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids where he met his future wife Dr. Cathy Smith. Steve and Cathy took an immediate liking to each other, despite the fact that her alma mater was Ohio State University School of Medicine, and they married 11 months later on October 16, 1976. Together they opened a family practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan and began to grow their own family shortly thereafter.

Steve served in a number of roles during his medical career and his goal was always to increase access to medical services across the region and improve the efficiency of care. He worked for several different HMOs, hospitals and insurance companies to accomplish this, most notably as Medical Director of the West Michigan Blue Care Network and as a consultant to Miliman and Robertson. A few years of traveling for his career and being away from his family led him to take a new management position in Milwaukee, ten minutes from home and flexible enough to attend his children’s sporting events and activities. He went on to work for Elmbrook Hospital and later Humana before retiring.

Outside of work, Steve was beloved for his groan-inducing puns and dad jokes, as well as the care and attention he lavished on his family & friends. He had a well known passion for sports, being both an avid golfer and baseball player in his younger years and having a lifelong obsession with the University of Michigan football and basketball teams. This extended to him rarely being seen without an item of Michigan clothing and his home decor preferences always involved the Maize and Blue. In addition he was a fan of the music of the 50’s & 60’s, passing that love down to his children who still know all the words to his favorite songs

While our hearts are broken by his passing, all of us who were lucky enough to know and love this wonderful man will miss his quick wit and gift with words as well as his patience, kindness and love. The world is just not as bright without Steven Baker in it.

Services for Steve and his wife Cathy will be held at Peace Methodist Church at 12860 West North Avenue, Brookfield Wisconsin, on Saturday, March 22nd, at 1:00 PM. There will be a visitation starting at 11:00 AM and gathering after the service.