[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E915]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN ROBERT BAKER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DEREK KILMER

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 26, 2018

  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to commemorate 
the life of John Robert Baker, who passed away on January 26 at the age 
of 93.
   John's life was adventurous and well lived. Born in the summer of 
1924 in Seattle, his early childhood was marked by being pulled to 
safety by his pet dog from Green Lake. After his graduation from 
Lincoln High School, he served during World War II in the United States 
Navy.
   John was one of two remaining World War II submariners in the State 
of Washington. After graduating from high school, John joined the U.S. 
Navy and trained as a radioman before heading to Portsmouth, New 
Hampshire to train for submarine duty. Hesitant to apply for submarine 
duty due to his poor vision, he reportedly memorized the eye chart in 
advance to pass the exam. John served as a Radioman Third Class on the 
USS Atule (SS 403), where he is also recognized as a plank holder 
during its first commission in June of 1944.
   The Atule headed to Pearl Harbor and began the first of four war 
patrols in the South Pacific on October 9, 1944. The submarine was 
credited with sinking four warships and four merchant ships. The Atule 
was off the coast of Japan when it received word that Japan had 
surrendered.
   After the War, John studied pharmacy and earned his freshman numeral 
on the crew team at the University of Washington. His distinguished 
pharmacy career spanned across Washington State, where he owned a 
prominent business in Ephrata for 20 years, and continued his career as 
a pharmacist in Moses Lake, Quincy, Othello, and Walla Walla. John 
retired to Port Townsend in 1990, where he continued to be active in 
the community as a volunteer at the City Information Center and served 
as State Commander and Chaplain of the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World 
War II.
   John Baker's close friends and family will remember the precious 
time he spent fishing and boating with his sons and grandchildren. They 
will also remember the joy he found in racing-go-carts, hydroplanes, 
and even a Formula Vee car. They will remember his love for reading and 
puzzles, and-above all-his devotion to his family.
   We honor John Robert Baker--patriot, submariner, pharmacist, devoted 
husband and father, and dedicated volunteer. We will never forget his 
service to our country and community.

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