GEORGE ALLEN BAKER Nov. 25, 1932 – July 24, 2018
George Allen Baker passed away at home on July 24, 2018. He was born on November 25, 1932 in Alton, IL to George Allen and Grace Elizabeth (Cummins) Baker. He married Elizabeth Ann Coles, September 9, 1956 in Berkeley, CA and she preceded him in death on December 31, 1988. He married Carroll (South) Thomas, November 23, 1990 in Los Alamos, NM.
Mr. Baker is survived by his wife, Carroll; brother, John Baker (Carolyn) of St Charles, IL; three daughters: Connie (Alan Post) of Springfield, IL; Linda (Bruce Kirin) of Pittsburgh, PA; Deborah (Ed Seidewitz) of Bowie, MD; and three step children: Lynn (Dave Meritt),Dave Thomas (Sharon Eames), and Jessica Thomas. He is also survived by grandchildren: Tess and Kate Seidewitz, Justin, Jeremy, Julie, Jamie Meritt, Sarah and Alex Thomas.
In 1937, his family moved to Davis, CA, where he graduated from Davis High School in 1950. He then attended the California Institute of Technology where his friends affectionately called him “Cookie”. As a junior he came in 4th place for the national “Putnam” competition. He graduated in 1954. He went to UC Berkeley for his PhD in Physics which he completed in 1956. He did a year of post-doctoral study at Columbia University in New York City. In the summer of 1957, he went to work at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. In 1961-62, he worked at UC San Diego Scripps Institute. In 1964-65, he took a sabbatical leave at Kings College in London, England. After his return to Los Alamos, he and his family moved to Bellport, NY to work at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. In 1971-72, he took a sabbatical to Cornell University. In 1975, he moved back to work at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. In 1976-77, he had the opportunity to visit the Center for Nuclear Studies, outside Paris, France, then returned back to Los Alamos. In 1982-83, he took another sabbatical, half the time in France and half the time at Princeton University. At this time he was made Laboratory Fellow, a promotion for distinguished research.
During his career, he published more that 100 technical papers and three books. He was an expert in the area of Pade Approximates and its application to Ising Models. He retired in 1995 from Los Alamos Laboratory.
In his spare time George loved traveling and music. He visited all the continents except Antarctica. Music was a constant in his life. In high school and college, he played the trombone. Throughout his life he sang in the church choir. He frequently attended the opera and other musical concerts. In his final months music was his great solace. A Memorial Service will be held, August 18, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. at the United Church of Los Alamos, 2525 Canyon Rd, Los Alamos, NM 87544.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, www.lbda.org/donate, to the United Church of Los Alamos, or to the Salvation Army. The family of George Allen Baker has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. www.devargasfuneral.com / 505.747.7477.
