Richard “Dick” Baker of Henderson, NV peacefully passed away on August 4, 2026 at Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas, Nevada. Richard was born in Hays, Kansas on November 3, 1934 to Fred and Rosa Baker, née Harman.

Richard grew up on the family farm north of Hays, KS. He graduated from Hays High School in 1952, and with a $100 scholarship from Union Pacific and working summers at the Sutter Ranch and in the oil fields, Richard proudly graduated from Kansas State University in 1956. He was a member of Farmhouse Fraternity. He taught Agriculture in Ellis for a year, returning to Kansas State to obtain a Master’s Degree in 1960. His work on feed technology and mass flow bin design there led him to a position as Plant Engineer; first for Ralston Purina Company, and then for Mars-Wrigley, where he was also the design engineer for the construction of their Mattoon, IL manufacturing plant and the living machine project at their Henderson, NV plant.

Richard married Jeanne Genevieve Smith in 1955. They were married eight years and had three children.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jean Ann Baker, née Huch of Henderson, NV; daughter Michelle (Timothy) Monahan, San Tan Valley, AZ, son Patrick Baker, Granby, CO; daughter Shawn Katzenberger, San Tan Valley, AZ; son Jonathan Baker, Las Vegas, NV. Grandchildren Meghan (Mathew) Stanford, Kelly Allen, Cassie (Shane) Terry, and Ryan Christiansen; great grandchildren; and sister-in-law Teckla Baker, nee Brungardt.

Richard was proceeded in death by his parents, a brother Walter Baker, grandson Michael Monahan, and son-in-law Stephen Katzenberger.

Throughout his life Richard loved sports. He played basketball and baseball at Hays High and went on to play semi pro baseball for several years after graduation. He also played basketball, baseball and flag football, and bowled in Industrial Leagues, and became an avid golfer. Richard was a huge fan of the Kansas State Wildcats football team and Kansas City Chiefs, rarely missing a game.

Richard was a kind, caring and considerate man who never held a grudge. He will be missed terribly.