Remembering Dick Baker, Part I

"Dick was a shining light - the sort of person that made you want to be all that you could be. A role model for life.

"I met Dick thru Pat O'Connell, and the warmth and generosity of he and his entire family was overwhelming. His son Ryan became the first student journalist at our Boost Mobile Pro at Trestles. From the use of a hot shower after a session at Cottons, to sitting down over a cup of coffee in the bench nook of their home and solving the problems of the world, Dick was always there with support, ideas, love for the surf industry and a smile. He was a good man who leaves behind a legacy of excellence and authenticity, and a wonderful family who will continue his heritage."

Francine Garcia, Dick's former assistant at Op

"I was in complete disbelief when I heard the news yesterday. I hadn't spoken to him since August, in which he told me he had just finished up a chemo session and was feeling great. He forwarded my email to Una and she dropped me a line and sent me pictures of them and the boys at the Diabetes Association Father of the Year ceremony.

"I worked as Dick's assistant at Op for over three years. Dick was one of a kind! He definitely had a colorful way with words. Some of my favorite quotes from him include, 'It was right out of the Star Wars bar scene,' 'If you were a horse, you'd be put down by now,' and my all time favorite, 'Just when I think you're an idiot, you're right!'

"I'm happy to say that working with Dick, although tough at times, shaped me into the strong, confident person I am today. The ultimate compliment Dick paid me was on my last day working with him, he said 'In all my years in the apparel industry, you are the only assistant I never made cry.' To that I replied, 'Never in front of you!'

"He will always be dear to me and will be missed."

Maria Nation

"I've known Dick since the 80's and we have many friends in common. The years have blown us all to the winds but I remember our times fondly.

"Dick was one of the most generous men I've ever met. I could give you a thousand examples but here are two:

"When I lived in New York I had a horse in the country but no car. Dick, who was living in the city at the time, offered to let me use his car. Not once. Not twice. But absolutely whenever I wanted it. He put me on the parking attendant list so I just had to call and there was his car, waiting for me. Now here's the thing: it wasn't just some beater car for the city. It was an enormous and brand new Mercedes Benz! I had it at my disposal for years. Once, the car got filthy at the barn. Dust all over it. I knew I couldn't return it in that condition so I washed it off and found a barn towel to dry it before I drove it back to the city. It was dark. In the morning when Dick went to get his car it was apparent that all I had done in "washing" it was smear huge paths of now-dried and caked on mud and horse hair all over the fabulous car. How did Dick respond? He laughed and laughed and loved to tell the story.

"In the 80's Dick bought a huge estate in Wilton. We called it 'Tara' because that's what it looked like. Shortly after buying it he took the Esprit job and moved to California. Instead of selling the house he just turned the keys over to John (Dalzell) and me and said: 'Use the house.' So every weekend we went up to Tara and lived in his beautiful estate and invite 'the gang' of friends we shared. Often he would return to New York for business and I'd get the call: 'I'm coming in,' he would say, 'gather the gang.' I'd make the calls and by the time Dick got back the house would be filled with friends and we'd have a great, drunken feast. I still hear the laughter from that table - old friends coming together and sharing stories. We would laugh till we cried. Today I'm crying different tears for Dick and my deep sympathies go to Una and the boys. But in time, the Dick Baker I will remember will only bring the smiles and laughter and the sweet memories he created. He was an amazing, positive, forward thinking and incredibly kind human being. I will miss you Dick."

Mark Price, CEO, Firewire

"Dick Baker might not have surfed, but he lived his life with passion, integrity, and most of all, courage. In that sense he was a true Waterman an d he will be remembered as one of the greatest ever. We have lost a titan of our industry and a valued presence in all of our lives."

Steve Zeldin, founder, Water and Foam magazines, publisher/chief executive, Bluewater Publishing

"Dick was a legend. A visionary. He embodied the spirit of stoke and passed that feeling on to everyone he came in contact with. He had an appreciation for me that few could have, and supported my endeavors beyond what was even financially realistic. I will always remember him and his beautiful wife and the good times we shared. Aloha brother."

Santiago Aguerre, co-founder, Reef

"Something many people do not know is that Dick was part of the effort to bring SurfAid to the surf industry. He gave his blessing and time from his lunch 'state of the union' speech in Cabo for a presentation on SurfAid. He was always there to counsel the organization and was part of the advisory board for many years. Every person he touched felt good next to him, even as far away as the jungles of Indonesia. Dick Baker, here forever. Santi."

Fernando Aguerre, co-founder, Reef

"Dick was a mix of father, brother and friend. I feel a bit like an orphan today. He will continue to live in the hearts of the ones that knew him. Gracias Dick.

"Here's a fun photo of Dick. He's holding my pants after his winning bid for $4,000 at Liquid Nation Ball 2.

"One month later he was back at my home for dinner. He brought me the pants, in a dry cleaning bag, and told me: 'Here are your pants. They belong to you.'

"That was Dick. A class act, very uncommon in this world."

Dylan and Dustin Odbert, Ambsn

"Dick Baker was an amazing man, a fantastic mentor and friend, an apparel guru and a great son, brother, husband, and father to his loved ones. Although we only knew Dick a short while, he really made a monumental impact on our lives and our business. He had hope for our little brand.

"Even though we had no apparel background, we had no business training, and rather than being from Orange County, we were from pretty much the middle of nowhere California, (which at any chance he would remind us of and as he would put it, "Here's the analogy... You guys are like the concrete workers who one day decided to start an apparel brand") he still took us in and helped us anyway.

"Dick always told us how special ambsn was and how clearly he saw our niche in the market.
Dick inspired us to make the move to San Clemente telling us our brand needed to be centered in the thick of it all. When it was a business plan we needed, of course he knew of just the guy, his old buddy Bob Mignogna, who has come to be an intricate part of our growing success and a mentor in his own right. When store owners went to Dick to find out what the latest and greatest was, our brand was the first thing out of his mouth. We would spend hours with Dick going over each and every nook and cranny of our business to help get us off in the right direction and he would do it out of the kindness of his heart without hesitation. Dick brought us into his home, invited us to his parties and made us feel comfortable and welcome in an area and industry that we were so new to. He has shared his passion with us and inspired an entire industry like no one else ever could.

"He had an enthusiasm for his family and friends like few we have ever seen. He would tell us how great his Dad was and who at the ripe young age of 90 drove the hottest Cadillac, played golf regularly and never missed a Sunday diner at the house regardless of the two-hour drive. He bragged happily about how incredible his wife, Una, is and how he had no idea where he would be without her. When it came to Ryan and Jack, it was nothing but smiles and endless stories about how they cracked him up, how talented, smart and artistic they were, and last but not least, how much the girls at school admired his boys, which always made his smile extra big.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you feeling this empty spot in your hearts right now, we are all very lucky and better people thanks to Dick Baker and it's time to celebrate his life.

"Thank you Dick for everything, God bless you and we can't wait to see you again some day."

Dylan Odbert - Creative Director/concrete finisher
Dustin Odbert - Sales Director/concrete grunt
ambsn

Dac Clark, C&C, Sanuk, L*Space

"Dick was an icon in this industry. He tirelessly gave the industry the leadership it needed. Dick earned the SIMA "Lifetime Achievement Award" by his dedication to the industry and the values we all hold so dearly. It is a shame that we can't celebrate this honor with Dick in person - he will be missed."

Robert Gerard, ASP lawyer, partner, Friedman Stroffe & Gerard, P.C.

"What a terrible thing to return home from a surf trip to learn that my dear friend Dick is gone. Dick has been a bright shining light in so many ways to me and my family and my law firm. Dick never missed an opportunity to do something we in the surf industry do not do enough of, which is to thank others for their service and contributions to the industry and its various worthwhile causes ranging from SIMA, to Surfing America, to ASP, to The Surfing Heritage Foundation, to SurfAid, to Surfrider, to Life Rolls On, and so many more. He 'got it' when it came to appreciating others and motivating them to be all they could be.

"He was always there to counsel and advise me when I was Chairman of SurfAid - USA in the difficult period after the Tsunami, and also in the often difficult role of ASP Lawyer and Athlete Rules & Discipline Judge -- in the midst of some big ASP controversy I could call Dick 24/7 and he'd always laugh and say he'd been waiting for my call.

"I'll still call on you Dick and I know your calm wisdom will still find its way to me. To Una, Jack, and Ryan our thoughts, prayers, and full support are with you. Love & Aloha, Robert"

Bryan Friedman, partner, Friedman Stroffe & Gerard, P.C.

A sad day we all knew was coming. Dick will be missed by all who knew him or had any dealings with him. Although he started as an outsider, he has earned his place in the history of the industry and the Lifetime Achievement Award was so well deserved. Dick showed such immense bravery and spirit through these trying times so that when you were talking to him about it, you finished up being comforted by him! Whenever you met or spoke with Dick he left you with the feeling that you were special in some way. For that and so many reasons, he was special. Peace to him and his family.

Peter Burke, PJ Salvage

"Dick my man, we will miss you. We had many good glasses of wine together. Great memories. Thank you.
You were an inspiration for all of us and you were never too busy to give anyone advice. You maintained your sense of humor right to the end. A true friend."