Remembering Dick Baker, Part I

"I love you, Granpa, I'll miss you always."

JDub

Heidi Muther

"What a wonderful impact Dick made on the surf industry and world in general. I am proud to have known him. I enjoyed and will miss his ever present smile and welcoming hugs I got at ASR. Lucky US to have walked the world with HIM. Peace!"

Lian Murray, CEO, Aqua VI

"I would always love to see Dick Baker at ASR. He would welcome you with open arms and a big smile. He truly loved being involved. Dick was a remarkable man. He had a way of making everyone feel important. He had great manners. He was thoughtful and would introduce you to all of the people he was talking to. When you left Dick Baker, to continue your lap around the trade show, you always left with a smile on your face."

Updated Thursday, 4:25 p.m.

Michael Marckx

"I had the somewhat unique distinction of actually working side by side with Dick for many years after he hired me to head Op's global marketing just after 9/11. We had a small but incredible crew of people and Dick managed us all the same way--he believed in us but always knew we were capable of more, and thus encouraged us in ways we could never muster ourselves. Through our business interactions he was always instilling life lessons in tandem with the work ones. This is how he mentored. He was a teacher.

"Dick really enjoyed imparting lessons. Looking back, he challenged me to grow in so many ways that I am still learning from him to this very moment. One of those things was to keep things short and to the point. In matters like remembering someone like Dick, it's very hard to keep it short.

"As much as he was a mentor, he always had a thirst to learn. He would always say he was a student of this or a student of that. What he meant by this was he was learning and actively seeking knowledge about important things in life and business. He never rested in that way, because he always knew there was more to learn, to make him better at what he did. I am now the same way,reading, learning, watching, discussing, very much in the same ways he did when I was with him.

"I will also say he loved to brainstorm, sitting around a room with just you or one other and really dissecting things. He was great at seeing the forest through the trees. My fondest memories of Dick are of these meetings, when he would get excited and on a roll and he would shift in his seat every minute or jump up and walk to the chalk board. When he would get really into it, he would reach around and over with his left hand to scratch the right side of his head. I always got a kick out that. I saw him do it 500 times.

"I had some really great conversations with Dick this last year and feel so lucky to have been able to laugh about the past and also ponder the future, while scratching the sides of our heads with the opposite hand.

"I got to tell Dick this in so many ways except this very literal way:

"Thank you, Dick. You enriched my life and made me a better person, and gave me experiences that were priceless."

David Howard

"I went to high school with Dick and was his teammate on both a really bad basketball team and a good track team. He was also our Student Body President in 1963. His charisma and genuine charm dramatically outweighed his lack of physical gifts and 30 months ago we met at Oyster's in Corona del Mar and laughed about various events of our youth for three hours straight.

"His style and grace with all strata of our culture will be greatly missed. I didn't see Dick for 30 years until he called to me at the ASR Show, and it seemed we had talked the day prior. I miss him."

Ron Abdel, co-owner, Jack's Surfboards

"My deepest condolences go out to Dick Baker's family.

"I've known him for many years and consider him a good friend, not only within the surfing community, but also personally.

"We shared many pleasant stories throughout the years and his life story is one that will not be forgotten.

"I will truly miss my friend."

Jim and April Vaughn, Whalebone Surf Shop

"Dick Baker's passing is devastating. We are at a loss for words to pay Dick the tribute that he so richly deserves. Dick was a unique and very special man, because he had the ability to make so many of us feel special. He was a listener and a sage to all he came in contact with. To say the surf industry has been delt a crushing blow is a gross under statement. I am a better man for having known him and am grateful for that opportunity. Our hearts go out to Una, Ryan and Jack for their devasting loss."

Rob Ripley, President, Displayit Inc.

"Dick was a true friend and mentor. The one thing Dick did better than talk was listen.

"The red booth was his church, and if you ever were privileged enough to sit with him he made you feel as important as any CEO giant, that you know listened to his words with the same eager anticipation as you.

"He was all business but such an amazing father and husband at the same time. The way he identified with so many people is a true testament of his intelligence and compassion."

"I will miss you my friend. Much love to his family."