Richard A. Baker, physician

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Richard A. Baker, 84, of Mt. Airy, a physician and a retired professor at Jefferson Medical College and Hahnemann University, died June 11 of lung cancer at Chestnut Hill Hospital.

Dr. Baker, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, had helped direct those departments at Jefferson and Hahnemann. At Hahnemann, he was presented with the Teacher of the Year Award in 1990 and 1991.

From 1977 to 1979, he was commanding officer of the Naval Regional Medical Center in Philadelphia, rising from director of clinical services.

He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and retired in 1979 with the rank of captain. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal in 1973.

During more than two decades of military service, Dr. Baker was head of obstetrics at naval hospitals in the Philippines, San Diego, and Newport, R.I.

He was a past president of the Obstetrical Society of Philadelphia and spoke and published widely.

Born in Monroe, Utah, he received his bachelor's degree and medical degree from the University of Utah. He interned at the Naval Hospital in Oakland, Calif., followed by a residency at the Columbia Hospital for Women in Washington.

Dr. Baker is survived by daughters Ricki Kallish, Lori Balajthy and Allison Baker; four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His wife, the former Marilyn Sage, died in 2006. Funeral services and internment were private.

Memorial donations may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Box 96172, Washington, DC 20090. -- WF

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