Donald Baker, age 96

Donald (“Don”) Baker was born in Chicago, raised in Lake Bluff, and spent most of his adult life in Kenilworth. He was curious, good-humored, and deeply devoted to both his work and his family.

After graduating from the University of Chicago Law School in 1954, Don joined his father and brothers at Baker & McKenzie, then a small but ambitious firm shaped by his father’s vision of serving clients internationally. Don played a key role in developing the firm’s pioneering foreign trade and international tax practice, helping to grow Baker McKenzie from a regional firm based in Chicago to one of the most influential law firms in the world.

Following his retirement in 1994, Don was not one to slow down. He helped found Air South, a startup airline based in Columbia, South Carolina, where he served as general counsel. He continued to pursue new ventures with the same curiosity and energy that had defined his career, investing in real estate, emerging bioscience, and oil and gas exploration.

Although his life was rooted in Chicago and the North Shore, Don cherished summers at his family ranch in Sapello, New Mexico, and winters on Sanibel Island, Florida with his family. These places remained his touchstones, connecting him to the people he loved most.

Don could often be seen bicycling or walking in his neighborhood, or swimming at the Michigan Shores Club. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Gisela; his daughter, Caryna; his sons, Andrew and Russell; and his five grandchildren.