Dr. Frederick William Baker

January 31, 1932 – May 11, 2022

The family of Dr. Frederick William Baker announces his death in Canmore, Alberta on May 11, 2022 at the age of 90. Fred was predeceased by his wife Yvette in 2015 and is survived by his children Michelle (Barry), Bill, Fred (Donna), Donna (Bill), Jackie (Marshall), Danielle (Ray), eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. Fred had a very long and full life and will also be remembered by many of the patients he served tirelessly over the years.

Fred was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and along with his parents and sister Cathy, moved between Prince Albert and Victoria, BC several times as he grew up. He graduated from Prince Albert Collegiate Institute and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Alberta. He married Yvette in 1957 and together they began their family as Fred pursued a specialty in Paediatrics, taking them to Winnipeg, Regina, and Montreal. In 1963 he started in general paediatric practice with Dr. Alvin Buckwold in Saskatoon where he worked many long hours seeing patients in the hospital, in the office and in their homes. In 1968 Fred decided to move the family, now consisting of six children, to Sherbrooke to help establish the Paediatric Department at the new medical school at the Universite de Sherbrooke. In 1972 Fred returned to Saskatoon, working in private practice in the Baltzan Medical Clinic and later as a full-time member of the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine. In 1981 Fred moved again, this time to Regina where he became Chief of Paediatrics at the Regina General Hospital. Fred was Chairman of the Perinatal Mortality Committee for 14 years, with the Committee efforts contributing to a dramatic drop in the death toll of newborns in Saskatchewan. Fred served in various capacities with the Canadian Paediatric Society and was President of the CPS in 1984/85. In 1985 Fred was bestowed with the title of Honorary Chief (Aski Ka-pimoh-ta-tat: “He who is walking on earth”) by Aboriginal groups in southern Saskatchewan and North Dakota for work with the Native Liaison Program, Regina General Hospital. In 1987 Fred and Yvette moved to Toronto, where he became Medical Director of the Metro Toronto Children’s Aid Society and was also on staff at the Hospital for Sick Children. In 1989 he became Director of the University of Toronto Sioux Lookout Program leading to an award from the Chiefs of Nishnawbe-Aski Nation in recognition of his dedication and service to the betterment of the First Nations. In 1997 at the age of 65 he and Yvette finally retired to Calgary and had many happy adventures travelling the world and connecting with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In 2003 Fred was presented with the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal for significant contributions to public life. After losing Yvette in 2015, Fred settled in Canmore to be closer to family and spent many hours walking the trails in that beautiful Rocky Mountain community.

A service will take place in July, 2022 in Calgary. Condolences for the family may be left at www.bowriverfuneral.com BOW RIVER FUNERAL SERVICE (403) 678-4880

• Date : 2022-05-11
• Location : Canmore, Alberta