×

EVERETT BAKER

Everett H. Baker, 92, of Wheeling, WV, passed away Friday, December 2, 2016, at Ohio Valley Medical Center.

He was born May 21, 1924, in Wheeling to Harley and Amy Baker.  He graduated from Wheeling High School in 1942, and continued his education at the College of William and Mary, where he graduated with a BS degree in physics in 1947.

His college education was interrupted by service on a mine sweep in the Pacific as a naval officer during WWII. He was called up from the reserve for service in the Korean War, and retired with the rank of lieutenant commander.

He had a distinguished career in metallurgy and materials testing, working for 33 years at the Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation, where he served as director of their research lab. While working at Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel he earned an MBA from West Virginia University.

For the next nine years, he was manager of research and development at Picoma Industries. He then became senior staff scientist at Touchstone Laboratories, managing project teams across different companies and government agencies to develop new composite materials of ceramic fibers in a metal matrix. Touchstone Laboratories honored him by naming one of the buildings at its Millennium Center after him.

He is survived by Norma Baker, his loving wife of 66 years; a daughter, Nila Baker of Vancouver, Washington; a son Gary E. Baker of Norfolk, Virginia; and three grandchildren residing in Virginia, Caleb Baker of Fairfax, Lydia Baker of Richmond, and Benjamin Baker of Norfolk. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Jackie Baker; his brother Herbert Baker, all in Wheeling; his brother-in-law and his wife, Albert and Emily Jensen of Virginia Beach, Virginia; and by numerous nieces, grandnephews, and grandnieces.

He was a long time member of Bethlehem United Presbyterian Church, where he served on the session and sang in the choir. He was also a lifetime member of America Legion Post 1.

A private service for family and relatives will be held at Kepner Funeral Home, 166 Kruger St., Wheeling, WV 26003 (304-242-2311). Interment will be held at the convenience of the family at Greenwood Cemetery, Wheeling, WV.

Memorial contributions can be made to Bethlehem United Presbyterian Church, 45 Chapel Road, Wheeling, WV 26003; or to the charity of your choice.

Personal condolences may be offered to the family at www.kepnerfuneral.com.