Salmon residents mourn the loss of a respected, colorful and kind community man: Robert “Bob” Baker. Bob suffered from early-onset dementia-Alzheimer’s and passed from the effects of the disease on July 15, 2023. May he Rest in Peace.

Born on August 26, 1956, to William and Olena (McDonald) Baker, Bob was the son of the legendary sharpshooter Sheriff “Bill” Baker. He was welcomed home by his older brother, Tom and two half-brothers: Val and Ron Noble of Utah.

A native of Salmon, Idaho, Bob had the most unusual of upbringings. Firstly, he had a father who was the Sheriff of Lemhi County for 32 years, and secondly, he was raised on the top floor of the Lemhi Co. Courthouse. With the jailhouse located on the ground floor, both Bob and his brother

Tom would serve the inmates evening meals. This was just one of many teachings that the Sheriff influenced his boys within order to ensure that they were good, law-abiding citizens at an early age.

During his adolescent years, Bob spent summers helping his grandparents out at the Baker Ranch on Poison Creel<. He loved the physical labor of putting up hay and enjoyed learning the bits of wisdom imparted to him from his Grandpa Erwin who made sure to remind him that owning a bit of land and abundance of water such as at Poison Creek, you may not be rich but will surely be a happy man! This rang true for Bob as he later would spend many weekends with his friends and family on the ranch enjoying the quiet, off-the-grid lifestyle.

Bob excelled in academics, served as class president, and he loved sports, showcasing his athletic abilities on the football field and basketball court as a three-year letterman. After scoring many touchdowns as running back for the Savages, he earned the name “Bobby Baker the Touchdown Maker!”