Richard O. "Dick" Baird

Richard “Dick” O. Baird, 91, of South Lake Tahoe, CA, and formerly of Washington, IL, died on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Reno, NV. Born on August 1, 1920 in Astoria, IL to William T. and Maude E. Stauffer Baird, he married Julia Ellen Dean in 1952 in Morton, IL. She preceded him in death in 1982. Surviving is 1 son, Lyle (Gisela) Baird of Valparaiso, IN, 1 daughter, Joan E. (Dan) Swartz of South Lake Tahoe, CA, 3 grandchildren; Diana Welch of Valparaiso, IN, Ken Blaney Jr. and wife Laura Shurr Blaney of Valparaiso, IN and Angela Blaney of Chicago, IL, and 6 great-grandchildren; Amanda and Stephanie Welch and Madeline, Isabel, Roger and Claire Blaney. He was preceded in death by 2 brothers. Dick served in the United States Army Air Corp, in his words as a “typewriter commando.” He was a professional photographer employed by News and Views for a short time before he went on to Caterpillar Tractor Co. in East Peoria, IL, for 33 years, working in Photocopy. He also photographed over 900 weddings through Dennis Spain Studios during those years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Washington for most of the 44 years he lived there. Dick enjoyed gardening and received an advanced master gardener certificate in his retirement. He and Julia and the family were members of Kennel Lake Sportsman’s Club in Washington, IL for many years. He also enjoyed riding his bicycle after he retired and rode to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis on the MS 150 Bicycle Tour for 3 years in a row when he was 69, 70, and 71 where he was the oldest rider. He stated “That was the most fun I ever had!” Richard moved to Lake Tahoe to live with his daughter and son-in-law in 2000 and was a member of the South Lake Tahoe Senior Center where he enjoyed daily lunches with his senior buddies and monthly Tahoe Big Band dances. He was a faithful member of Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church for the past several years and never missed a Sunday unless he was snowed in. He always enjoyed his work and activities and his bright mind, adventurous spirit, and giving nature will be missed by many, many friends and family members who knew and loved him so much. Services will be at 10:30 am Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at Crossroads Methodist Church in Washington. Pastor Tom Goddell will officiate. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memory Gardens in rural Morton. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington. There will also be a memorial service in South Lake Tahoe at a later date.

Richard O. "Dick" Baird

August 1, 1920 - November 22, 2011