Richard Baker

On the morning of Thursday, January 30, 2025, Richard “Dick” Michael Baker, of Port Huron, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, teacher and coach, passed away at the age of 82.

He was born on December 10, 1942 in Charleroi, Pennsylvania to Michael Angelo and Virginia M. (Miller) Baker. He married the love of his life, Barbara Jean Campbell, on August 15, 1954 and together they raised two children, Michael Richard and Elizabeth Ann. She preceded him in death on June 7, 2023 after 58 years of marriage.

Dick, a.k.a. “Bake”, excelled in football and wrestling at a young age and was a two-time high school state wrestling champ in Pennsylvania. Dick’s love of football and wrestling continued as he attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout where he was awarded a scholarship to play both sports. He was “Freshman Athlete of Year” in 1961. Through sheer determination, he overcame a career-threatening knee injury and became captain of the football team and earned all-conference honors in his junior and senior years. He graduated Wisconsin-Stout with a bachelor’s in education and also earned a master’s degree from Wayne State University.

He began his teaching career in 1965 at Port Huron Northern High School. He was also an assistant defensive football coach and head coach of the wrestling team, an integral part of an exemplary coaching staff which garnered many record-winning seasons for the Huskies. Dick loved teaching and coaching and over the years made lasting friendships with many of his players, parents and colleagues, who became his “Husky” family. In 1995, he retired from Northern and was quickly recruited to fill a vacancy as Vice Principal at Capac High School, where he also continued his coaching success for four years as their Defensive Coordinator.

Dick was recognized for his many contributions to the sports world and was selected by the Michigan High School Coaches Association as Outstanding Coach of the Year in 1988. He was inducted into the Wisconsin-Stout Hall of Fame in 1992, Port Huron Hall of Fame in 1997 and State of Michigan Hall of Fame in 2002. Dick also earned statewide recognition as a top high school wrestling coach and as an assistant defensive football coordinator in Port Huron.

In 2002, Dick officially retired and enjoyed traveling and seeing the world with Barbara. He remained a loyal sports enthusiast and was a huge fan of The Penn State Nittany Lions, the Detroit Lions, and of course the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Richard was a kind, special and compassionate man who was always making time to help others. He will be missed beyond words by all who knew him.

He is survived by his children, Michael (Jill) Baker and Elizabeth (Troy) Lutz; grandchildren, Jacob, Wade and Katie Lutz; brother, Barry (Renee) Baker; brothers-in-law, Christopher (Christina) Campbell, Brad (Janet) Campbell and John (Phyllis) Campbell; sister-in-law, Judy (Monty) Pearson; and many nieces and nephews, including Bryan Baker and Allison Kovach. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; his parents; and his brother, Lee Baker.

Family and friends will be received from 3-8 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025 in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home, 1720 Elk Street, Port Huron, Michigan.

A service honoring Dick’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Port Huron Northern, with the memo football/wrestling to be used for these programs. To send condolences, visit karrersimpson.com

We will hold you in our hearts until we can hold you in heaven. We love you Dick-Dad-Grandpa.