Bruce H. Baker

Bruce H. Baker, age 89, of Newburgh, Indiana, passed away on December 29, 2025, at Newburgh Healthcare.

Bruce was born on February 8, 1936, in Evansville, Indiana, to Russell W. Baker and Lula S. (Staser) Baker. He graduated from Boonville High School in 1954 and later earned his degrees in Business and Insurance from Indiana University in 1958 where he was a faithful member of Sigma Nu fraternity.

Bruce is survived by his loving wife, Carol (Ayer) Baker; his children, Suzanne Weigel (Kent) and John Baker (Elizabeth); his grandchildren, Abigail Weigel, Wesley Weigel, Megan Hipp (Matthew), Ingrid Baker, and Lydia Baker; and his great-grandchild, John David Hipp.

Bruce pursued his professional dream when he opened Newburgh Healthcare and Residential Center in 1978. He treated the residents and staff as if they were his extended family. He had a kind and compassionate heart for everyone he met.

He was a charter member of the Newburgh Historic Society, a life member of the Indiana University Alumni Association, and served on the board of WNIN Channel 9.  He helped to establish the Warrick County Community Foundation and was involved in many other community initiatives. He also proudly served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Carol’s volunteer work with the USI Foundation helped open the door for Bruce’s service to USI.  He was first appointed to the USI Board of Trustees in 1989.  He served more than 18 years as a member of the Board. He served as Chair of the nine-member Board of Trustees from 1992 to 1997 and from 2006 to 2007.   He was vice chair of the Board when he chaired the Finance Committee for two years and the Long-Range Planning Committee for seven years.

Trustee Baker consistently reinforced the University’s emphasis on a curriculum intended to meet the mission of “preparing students to live wisely” and the goal of providing an excellent, affordable education to Hoosier students.

Bruce and his wife Carol undertook many projects together.  They were active members of Main Street United Methodist Church in Boonville where Bruce was lay leader for 38 years. They were the first recipients of the Suzanne A. Nicholson Leadership Award from the USI Foundation and received the Special Recognition Award from the USI Alumni Association in 1998 for their leadership and volunteer service to USI.

Together they were members of the USI Foundation President’s Associates and supporters of the USI Varsity Club, Historic New Harmony, and virtually every USI Foundation program.  Bruce and Carol each received a Doctor of Laws degree in 2008 from the University for their extraordinary leadership.

Bruce supported all of Carol’s voluntary endeavors including the Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana where he chaired an annual golf outing for 10 years and provided leadership for other fund development events.

Bruce is preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Paul “Staser” Baker.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 5, 2026, at Main Street United Methodist Church, 222 East Main Street, Boonville, IN 47601, with Rev. Cole Moore officiating. Burial will follow in Baker Cemetery, where the Boonville VFW Post 3418 will conduct military honors.

Friends may visit from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville, Indiana 47715. Visitation will continue on from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service Monday, January 5, 2026, at Main Street United Methodist Church, 222 East Main Street, Boonville, Indiana 47601.

Memorial Contributions may be made to: USI Foundation, 8600 University Blvd., Evansville, IN 47712 or Main Street United Methodist Church, 222 East Main Street, Boonville, IN 47601.

Boone Funeral Home East Chapel – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville, IN, is handling the arrangements and is honored to serve the family of Bruce H. Baker. Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net.

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