Robert David Baker Obituary

March 5, 1946 – July 15, 2026

Robert David Baker, an esteemed attorney, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and respected community member, passed away peacefully in Palo Alto, California, on July 15, 2026. He faced a hard-fought six-month battle with lung cancer with the same tenacity and determination he brought to his work.

His journey began in March 1946, born to Ethel McQuitty and Octave Baker in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Bob, as he was affectionately known by his friends and family, grew up in the Midwest with his parents and five siblings. Though having only completed either first or second grade, Bob’s father “Doc” went on to own a successful barbecue restaurant. Bob’s mother was a homemaker who excelled in high school and took some college courses and helped with her husband’s restaurant business.

Bob enlisted in the Army on July 6, 1963, at the age of seventeen. In Vietnam, he was a member of the 173d Airborne Brigade. He made twenty-five parachute jumps, including four out of helicopters into combat areas in Vietnam. He attended North High School in Des Moines upon his return home in 1966 and met his first wife, Kay Hickman, that year. The two married in 1967. They welcomed their first child, Marcel, in November of that year, and daughter, Sonya, in 1968. Robert and Kay were married for ten years.

After earning his high school diploma, Bob attended Junior College, then graduated from Iowa State with a degree in Mathematics. Originally intending to teach math, he earned a Masters in Math Education, but decided he wanted to become a lawyer. On his way home from Vietnam, he had stopped at Travis Air Force Base in California and enjoyed the area. So, when he searched for law schools, he looked at the options in Northern California. After applying, he was accepted into Santa Clara University’s School of Law.

Bob married his second wife, Justina Brutus, in 1977. He earned his Juris Doctorate in 1979, graduating in the top two percent of his class. After completing law school and passing the bar on his first attempt, Bob worked briefly on the East Coast, before settling in Santa Clara County. Justina and Bob had their daughter, Elizabeth Azania, in 1980, followed by Alessandra in 1982.

In 1983, Bob founded Robert David Baker, Inc., a general practice firm. He practiced in San Jose for over forty years. What Bob liked most about his career as an attorney was his independence. He was the boss and able to run his business as he saw fit. He enjoyed the freedom to make decisions about his law practice and have his career in his own hands. In addition, Bob enjoyed all aspects of practicing the law, specifically the research required, appearing in court, and, of course, helping his clients. Bob strove to seek justice for all people regardless of their income or immigration status.

In addition to being a great attorney, Bob was known for his delicious barbecue. For a period of time in the 1990s, he followed in his father’s footsteps by running his own barbeque restaurant while practicing law. The restaurant, named “Flo’s Barbeque,” was located in downtown San Jose and named after its previous owner.

Bob was also an avid golfer and health enthusiast. In 2006, he met his long-time girlfriend, Maria Fuentes, in San Jose. He was a member of the San Jose Country Club for 20 years. As recently as October 2025, he hit a hole in one during the golf tournament at the country club. Bob loved the game of golf and could often be found practicing his swing in his backyard that overlooked the country club’s golf course. An intellectual, Bob loved to read and talk about history and politics, which he often did with his brother Octave. Bob was also a huge Yankees fan, avidly following the team.

What Bob loved most was his family. He hosted family barbecues and gatherings for all occasions: birthdays, holidays, boxing fight nights, Super Bowls, and many more. Bob leaves behind many loved ones who will cherish his memory, including his son, Marcel Baker of Sacramento, CA; three daughters, Sonya (Markell) Pierce of Sacramento, CA, Elizabeth Azania (Leonardo) Garcia of Livermore, CA, Alessandra (Israel) Harris of Sunnyvale, CA; two brothers, Octave Baker of Oakland, CA, and Richard Baker of Iowa City, IA; two sisters, Lena Baker of Mount Shasta, CA, and Paula Baker of San Jose, CA. Bob also has seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.