Remembering Dick Baker, Part I

"It's not often you get someone from outside our world that gets it and seamlessly integrates himself into our community. Dick was one of those rare individuals who achieved just that, and we are all the better for it.

"Dick was a true friend to me and my family and a mentor for many young and old in our industry, regarded as Mr. Switzerland but a man of action, he will be sorely missed.

"I look back at all the good times we had together and I will cherish those memories forever!"

Kelly Gibson, CEO, Rip Curl USA

"I am happy to say that I knew Dick Baker. We can learn a lot from a man like him. He has always been very inclusive and had a way of making all of us feel like we are on the same team. The way he faced his illness you can say was very brave. The last time I saw Dick a few weeks back was typical. He gave me shit and I gave him shit back. You will be missed Dick! My condolences to Una and his sons."

Bobby Abdel, co-owner, Jack's Surfboards

"He was a true leader and friend, and very, very helpful. He helped anybody, everywhere. He was a good friend to Jack's, and we are all very sad about his passing. I'll never forget his coming in his condition to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to the Board Retailers Association Summit last year, to speak and support BRA.

"When I saw him at the SIMA/BRA Boot Camp three weeks ago, he asked how we were doing, and I said it was tough out there. He said, 'Hold on tight, keep the stores stocked, and we'll see you one day in San Clemente.'

"He was really, really loved by everyone - he did not have one enemy. What he accomplished for the surf industy was incredible. Thank God he was sent to us. I hope we find another person like him, but I don't think we will."

Nat Norfleet, former design director, Op. Currently creative director at TCW Trends

"When Dick Baker first walked through the door of Ocean Pacific, some of us said 'Whoa,' who is this guy? He told me later, his reaction when seeing us, 'Oh no, did I make the right move?' Well, he made the right move, he turned Op around, as well as the whole surf industry. God bless you, Dick, you taught me a hell of a lot, when I thought I knew a lot. The Industry will so greatly miss you, but no one more than your beautiful family, Una, Ryan and Jack."

Peter "PT" Townend

DICK BAKER. R.I.P.

Today it is raining in Orange County, the sky is crying!

My mate Dick baker passed away this morning after a two year long battle with cancer.

"F*** CANCER!"

In the Nineties Dick Baker came back to where he was born in Southern California, to his roots from his New York garmento background at brands like Esprit and Tommy Hilfiger and intergrated himself back into Southern California surf culture.

He took the helm of OP an original Southern California surf brand and re-invented it with a crew of talented sidekicks whilst having his sons Ryan and Jack with the love of his life, Una.

When I was President of SIMA at the end of the 1990s he was the Vice-President and after my term was up, Dick took the position of "El Presidente" and led us through the next decade until today, leading our industry organization to unprecedented new heights.

I will never forget Dick picking me up early one morning at the Brasil Babes' in a limo to go to Ecuador in 2004 to try and convince the surfing nations of the world to give the National Governing Body (NGB) status to Surfing America. We convinced them to do so and it was the beginning of bringing US surfing back to international credibility.

Was one of the many things he did that changed the face of our industry.

We will miss him, more than we know!

To my Mate:

You can shed tears that he is gone.
Or you can smile because he has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back.
Or you can open your eyes and see he's left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see him.
Or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday.
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember him and only that he's gone.
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn you back.
Or you can do what he'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.