Charles (Chuck) W. Baker passed away peacefully of natural causes on August 8, 2021, in Salem, Massachusetts, at the age of 80.

Chuck was born in Columbus, Ohio, the oldest child of Clark and Bessie.  After graduating top of his South Columbus high school class, he earned two bachelor's degrees, one in Engineering from Ohio State and another in Business from St. Louis University.  He was an ardent sports fan his entire life, playing starting defensive end for South Columbus High, playing minor league football and coaching minor league basketball in Columbus.

Chuck's career reflected his Mensa-qualified brain.  As a mechanical draftsman for McDonnell- Douglas in the late 1960s, he drew the general assembly airlock for the Apollo 4 mission.  He went on to work as a plant manager for Breaker confections in the early 1970s.  Chuck was in charge f the plant that made Willy Wonka candies when the original film was made.  Chuck continued to be the "candy man" by running the Russell-Stover's facility in South Carolina and then Schrafft's Candies in Massachusetts.

Chuck was many things to many people. He was a man of deep integrity and principle – a trait he inherited from his parents and wove throughout his life. His motto in life was never to hurt anyone and to always do right by others.

He was also a man of the heart who openly gave to others, helping feed the hungry and homeless in his community and volunteering his time in the local theatre. He was deeply committed to his family – his two beautiful children, Melissa and Alex, his brothers, nephews, nieces, great-nieces and nephews, and his third "child," Melissa's husband, Sean.  Chuck was the pillar in a very dysfunctional and politically diverse family, which is the greatest gift he could have ever given. If you were ever hungry and needed a snack, no worries, Chuck always kept one in his beard.

Chuck had a rich knowledge and understanding of history, politics, and social trends. He was insatiably curious and loved to learn about anything and everything. He was an articulate speaker and gifted writer who could express himself in ways that enlivened most any topic.

He had strong opinions and relished the opportunity to debate others on a variety of issues. However, he was also a keen listener, taking stock of others' opinions –then coming back at them with a well-thought-through "Yes – but….." response – almost always tricky to parry!

One of his lifelong passions was theatre. Chuck was a consummate director, breathing life into a script and instilling in his actors a shared passion not only for the playwright's words but the "heart" of the play. The theatre gave voice to his inner soul in many ways and enabled him to bring out the best in himself and others.

Perhaps some of his fondest moments were during the many camping trips with family and friends, where campfire conversations over smores and more often lasted well into the night. Looking up at the stars, with the night sounds all around, was as close to God as one could get.

No one knows if there's a religion that has the answer to the final question, but Chuck has the credentials to pass each of their tests. Despite everything the world threw at him, he never complained or held a grudge. Just like his rule for camping, he left the world a better place than when he entered it 29,368 days ago. We will all always remember his belly laugh and the smell of his pipe.

If you wish to honor Chuck, please donate to The Salem Pantry, P.O. Box 295, Salem, MA 01970 or via https://thesalempantry.networkforgood.com/projects/124250-the-salem-pantry-2021-operating-support

Services are private at the request of the family.