Roger Baird

Roger Kent Baird passed away at his home on July 14, 2022, at the age of 93, after battling renal cancer. Roger fulfilled his last wishes to see all of his grandchildren, to visit with a few close friends, and to pass on his own terms with his daughters by his side. Roger had a passion for trains, and he played the role of engineer during his life's travels. He began his journey on June 3, 1929, in Aberdeen, SD, with his parents, Kent and Vera Baird. Two years later, he was joined by his only sibling, Virginia ... at least until his brother, Howard, showed up 18 years later. Roger's love of trains began in Aberdeen which was known as the "Hub City of the Dakotas" because four railroads branched from there in all directions. He lived just half a block from the train depot; the railroad yard was the neighborhood playground for Roger and his buddies.

Roger lived the railroad life while in high school during World War II. With all able men serving in the military, Roger worked summers and weekends for seven years with the Milwaukee Road while attending high school and college. In 1951, Roger graduated from Northern State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.

It was his college classes in math and physics at Northern that brought Donna Severance into his life. They became a study team and married on June 7, 1952, after they figured out that their partnership would work. They were married for 68 years until Donna passed away on January 5, 2021. Of course, their honeymoon was a train trip to visit Niagara Falls.

Roger finished his schooling at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City, SD. While attending, in 1952, he accepted a summer job with General Electric at their locomotive manufacturing operation in Erie, PA. It was a dream job for an engineer-in-training who loved railroading. After graduating in 1953, with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, GE hired Roger permanently and assigned him to the x-ray development laboratory in Milwaukee, WI. However, Roger's GE career was interrupted for two years while he served in the U.S. Navy as an electronics technician aboard the aircraft carrier USS Shangri La, CVA38. After his military service, In 1955, Roger rejoined GE in the Nuclear Power Division at San Jose, CA, where he enjoyed 33 years as a cost engineer.

Roger's first assignment was with the team pioneering nuclear for electrical power generation. They researched, designed, tested, and started-up operations for the world's first privately funded commercial nuclear power plant. It was the Dresden Station Unit 1 for the Commonwealth Edison Company in Morris, IL. That team, the "Nuclear Pioneers", have remained close, keeping in touch regularly and continuing to meet annually, in large part due to Roger's efforts.

In 1963, Roger and Donna's daughter, Allison was born, followed two years later by Andrea. Roger loved being a father, teaching his daughters his love of baseball, the value of education, and dedication to family. He was an early San Francisco 49'er season ticket holder at Kezar Stadium and closely followed the Athletics once they moved to Oakland in 1968. He attended many exciting games including several World Series and All-Star games.

Roger and Donna had an interest in, and curiosity about, the people and cultures of the world. They were great travel partners and were fortunate to be able to visit most parts of the world, especially after Roger retired in 1989. They traveled individually and with organized groups from GE or with Elderhostel (now Road Scholar). They participated in 31 learning experiences both in the U.S. and abroad with Elderhostel and embarked on numerous river and ocean cruises. Of course, the trips including train travel were highlights and they particularly enjoyed Intergenerational Elderhostel programs and travel with their 6 grandchildren.

Roger and Donna made their final move in 2010, to the Acacia Creek Retirement Community located on the beautiful, spacious grounds of the Masonic Home in the foothills of Union City, CA, overlooking the South San Francisco Bay Area. This culminated Roger's 69-year journey as a 32nd degree Mason. One of the motivations for the move was easy access to BART mass transit and the Capital Corridor trains connecting to Amtrak. Roger and Donna would frequently travel by train to visit their daughters and families living in Los Angeles and Reno, as well as family and friends across the country. Being one of the first members of the new Acacia Creek community, Roger facilitated the opening of the resident-run bar. Roger helped name and was deemed the first "Bar Czar" for The Turkey Roost, a position he proudly served in for over 10 years. One the highlights of his time at Acacia Creek was the celebration of this 90th birthday. Roger chartered a train for a once-in-a-lifetime trip with over 150 of his family and friends on the Niles Canyon Railroad. It exemplified his love of family, friends, and trains, and was enjoyed by all.

Roger is survived by his two daughters: Allison Baird-James and her husband, Dennis James, and Andrea Hughs-Baird and her husband, Mark Hughs; his 6 grandchildren, Zachary, Andrew (wife, Mauriana), Michael, Sydney, Eric, and Kate; his 3 great-grandchildren, Celestina, Roman, and Orion; and a host of extended family and friends who were lucky to travel with him on his life's journey.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, https://cara.sdsmt.edu/donate.

Burial, with military honors, was at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, SD.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.

LINKS

Kinkade Funeral Chapel

Aberdeen American News

http://www.aberdeennews.com