Robert VanTine Baird, 84, of Kate Houk Rd., Wayne Twp. passed away Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at his residence.
Born August 6, 1932 in Allegheny County, he was the son of the late Thomas and Josephine VanTine Baird. He was married for 62 years to Donna Mae McCaslin Baird as they were married June 11, 1953. She passed away January 21, 2016.
Bob retired in 1985 following 25 years as the owner and operator of Baird Pump Service and Well Drilling. At the same time, he owned Baird’s Pump and Supply Plumbing Service in Ellwood City. Following his retirement in 1985, Bob was a full service home inspector for One Call Property Services. He was an active member of the First Church of God in Ellwood City, serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, President of Council, two time President of the Pulpit Committee, and a Deacon. Bob graduated from Lincoln HIgh School in 1950. Bob enjoyed traveling and boating. He served as an officer in the New Castle Power Squadron Boating Group and also taught safe power boating courses. Bob served as a Sergeant with the Army during the Korean War and was a member of the American Legion. He was a 25 year member of the Ellwood City Masonic Lodge # 599 and the New Castle Consistory. Bob was active with the “Christmas in the Park” and was a board member of the North Sewickley Cemetery Association, where he was instrumental in the recent clean up at the cemetery. He was a member of the Lawrence County Fair Board for 12 years and was a former Wayne Township Supervisor.
Survivors include two daughters, Hope (Stacy) Devore of Willoughby, Ohio, Faith (Stephen) Craig of New Castle; two sons, Robert G. (Nancy) Baird of Umitilla, Florida, Frank (Tamara) Baird of Nashville, Tennessee; eight grandchildren, Justine (Gabe) Host, Nathan Devore, Zachary Devore, Madeleine Craig, Samuel Craig, Jennifer (Paul) Kasianides, Sarah (Ben) Gill, Jake Voegtly; great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, Donna, Bob was preceded in death by a brother, T. Charlie Baird in November of 2015.
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday October 29 from 3-7 pm at the Marshall Funeral Home 200 Fountain Ave. Ellwood City. Funeral Services will be held on Sunday at 2:00 pm at the First Church of God in Ellwood City. Pastor Phil Conklin will officiate the services. Military rites will be conducted by the Veterans Honor Guard. Interment will follow in North Sewickley Cemetery
Memorial Contributions may be made to First Church of God, 1862 Mercer Rd. Ellwood City, PA 16117.
Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com.
I’m sorry for your loss. Bob was a very special man and a very special Christian, GOD’S LOVE AND BLESSINGS.
To the Baird Family,
So sorry for the loss of your father. You know he is not suffering now and with your mom. He fought a long hard battle. If you keep the master’s way you will see him again. He will be greatly missed.
In His Love,
Kay Edinger
You have fought a good fight,You have finished your course, You have kept the faith: Enjoy your reward our friend
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Baird family. Bob will always be remembered for his dedication to family, church and community. He will be truly missed and his family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Trust in God,
Bill and Mary Challis
To Bob and Donna’s kids,
I feel like I am writing to family instead of friends. The Reynolds family was so intertwined with the Baird family for so many years that I do count you as part of my relatives. My Dad and your Dad spent many long hours either working on something for the fairgrounds or in all their other ventures that I very often found them sitting at our kitchen table drinking coffee and trying to solve all the worlds problems when I would get home from school or later from work.
Daddy loved spending time with your dad and I know my brother Bill felt the same way when he later worked for your dad. I think the last time I saw your mom was at a function at one of the high schools and she smiled that wonderful smile of hers and talked about all of you and her love for you was so evident. I didn’t realize that she had passed until I saw your dad’s obituary and I am so sorry. They were both such great people.
Among my favorite memories was baby sitting you kids! Your mom made me feel like I knew all about everything there was to know about child care and I was just a kid myself! You were such cute kids!
I love to think about your mom and dad floating down that big Mississippi River. That must have been quite an adventure!
I am so sorry that I can not come on Saturday to pay my respects. My heart will be with all of you. Your parents are two of the people who are an important part of my own history and I surely will never forget them.
God’s blessings to all of you as you deal with this loss. My sincere sympathy.
Sallie Reynolds Mickle
To Faith, Hope, Rob and Frank. So sorry for your loss. Your Dad was such a special person. He will be greatly missed. Now he will be with your Mom again. I cared so much for both of them. I couldn’t make it to funeral home but you are in my heart and prayers. Dwayne and Erica send their love.