August 25th, 2020
Merlin Baker 85, passed away peacefully Tuesday, August 25th, 2020, surrounded by family at Newton Memorial Hospital.
Merlin was born in Sparta Wisconsin to the late Arthur Huber and the late Bessie Baker Hobson. Upon graduating Sparta High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served as a radar man 1st class from 1953 – 1957. Honorably discharged from the navy he entered the University of Wisconsin Lacrosse where he met Ruth, his loving wife of 56 years. Earning a B.S. in Chemistry and Mathematics from UW Lacrosse he continued his education at UW Milwaukee where he began his career in research and development. He worked with the first NASA Space Shuttle Program developing food packaging and was part of the team that worked on the Superconducting Super Collider tasked with splitting the atom. His work as Director of Research and Development took him to the world of adhesives and coatings. His crowning achievement was working with North Sails providing sail coatings for the yachts racing in the America’s Cup.
Over the course of his career his family lived in Wisconsin, Southeastern Pennsylvania and finally Northern New Jersey where they have resided for 34 years. Merlin’s love of God and Community saw him as an active member of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served as president and a church elder for many years. The Lake Tamarack community benefited from his involvement through several community committees. His Wallkill Golf Club membership was one of his fondest activities. He loved to golf, sail, ski & fish. Merlin traveled extensively over his life with both his family and his wife. His love of God took him to Israel, the promised land.
Merlin is survived by his loving wife Ruth of 56 years. Three sons: Shawn (Anna) of Redondo Beach, CA; Nathan of Clifton, NJ & Christopher (Mayette) DeMartino of Boonton, NJ. Two grandchildren Nicole & Logan both of Redondo Beach, CA. Two brothers: Norman Baker of Sparta, WI & Richard (Doris) Hobson of Racine, WI and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2021, 1:30 PM at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave. Tomah. Pastor Curt S. Backhaus will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery with military honors by the Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Sat at the church from 12:30 PM until the time of the services.
Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be offered to the family by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com
Donations may be made to Immanuel EV. Lutheran Church, 40 Coleman Rd, Long Valley NJ 07853.
The family wishes to extend our appreciation and sincere thanks to the ICU staff and Night Supervisor at Newton Memorial Hospital for making our family comfortable during his passing.
Sonnenburg Family
Funeral Home
