Walt Baker: A volunteer without peer.
By BILL BROWN and SAUL RESNICK
For The Sun
This is another story The Sun is running about people who make significant contributions to the Haddonfield community.
Many people talk the talk — very few walk, the walk.
Walt Baker, 87, full of vim and vigor, is the embodiment of the ultimate volunteer. He knows no limits in his goal of helping others over decades, and their appreciation for his efforts is Walt’s greatest reward. Walt is the “yes man” for giving back to the community.
Walt, a member of the 65 Club since 2005 and treasurer and director for a decade, has a track record which speaks volumes.
Whether it is more than six decades of involvement with the Boy Scouts of America, about 7,300 hours at Cooper Hospital in Camden or his mentoring others on how to handle CPR and other life-saving techniques with the American Red Cross more than 25 years, Walt is everywhere doing everything for others.
Walt, very opinionated about everything, and with an overwhelmingly loud laugh (mostly at himself) is a man of few words, but when asked what drives him, his answer is simple.
“I just love helping other people, seeing the smiles of appreciation on their faces, lighting up their day with my presence,” Walt said. “If there is a better way of living than helping others, you tell me.”
But Walt refuses to say much more, leaving it for others to sing his praise, and they do.
The thousands of lives he’s touched in his service to the Boy Scouts represents thousands of hours as a mentor, a scoutmaster, in key council positions and as leader in a variety of scouting activities.
Walt received the Camden County Council’s Silver Beaver Award in 1973. He also earned the Chapel of Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Humanitarian Award.
Walt’s service to others at Cooper Hospital in Camden borders on the legendary. His 7,300 hours represents about one full year, including travel time.
“Walt started volunteering in March, 1995, and continues to this day without compensation,” said Eileen Baptiste, Volunteer Coordinator at Cooper University Health Care. “Walt works with the Same Day Surgery Department meeting needs of our patients, nurses, physicians and techs. He interacts pleasantly with all of them. In 2011 Walt earned our Volunteer of the
Year Award, and in 2015 he received an award for the most total hours volunteered. It is truly a pleasure to work with Walt, who possesses the traits of dependability and integrity and serves Cooper’s mission with great compassion and love.”
“Walt always has fun with our patients, helps to relax them and takes away their pre-surgery fears,” said Lisa Passero, Clinical Director at Cooper.
Walt, a long-time Haddonfield resident, was a member of the Haddonfield Celebrations Committee and worked for years on its July 4 parade.
Walt was born in Camden to Ira and Mary, but sadly, his mother died two weeks afterwards. Later raised by his uncle and aunt, Albert and Marion Durham, Walt graduated from Collingswood High in 1949 and then served for four years in the U.S. Marines, mostly stateside, during the Korean War, where he attained the rank of sergeant.
Subsequently, Walt worked for 36 years as an electrician engineering technician at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Center.
But the most enjoyable part of his life was his marriage for 54 years to Dolores, a Haddonfield native, who passed away in June 2010.
“She was the light of my life,” Walt said.
They have three sons, Walter Jr., Michael (and wife Nancy), Timothy, and daughter Heather. He also has five grandchildren: Mikaela, Noah, Maxwell, Andrew and Hayden, who have joined the family over time.
“I’m in touch with all of them frequently, and they brought great pleasure to our lives and to my life today,” Walt said.
Along with his wife, Walt was instrumental in developing many activities for the original Mabel Kay House in Haddonfield. Walt is a long-time member of the Haddonfield United Methodist Church.
“Life is a wonderful experience, and the best part is that I’m still around to enjoy it,” Walt said. “As for my volunteering, I hope I’m doing it until my last breath on earth. Then I can go in peace to join Dolores.”
This is part of a series The Sun runs about residents who make contributions to a better life for all of the citizens of Haddonfield. If you are interested in joining the Haddonfield 65 Club, contact Bill Brown at 429–4368, or by email at [email protected].
