CHRIST IN WINTER: The
Hopeful Reminiscences of An Old Friend—
Paul Baker has died. At
least, that is what I hear from folks in his
town. They are not sure when he died, though, or if there will be a funeral service for him, because there has been no obituary, nothing official, no plans. His wife is in a nursing home, unable to do an obit or plan a memorial service, but surely there are others…
It is a bit strange, that news of Paul’s death is so private, for his life was so public.
Paul and I came to Illinois State University at the same time, he with a new PhD from Duke University, a new sociology professor, I as the new Methodist campus minister.
I was trying to start a series of gatherings where students could meet profs to talk about religion in an informal way. I asked our student officers if they knew any profs who would be good at that. “Oh, yes,” said Bonnie Whiteside. “This new sociology prof, Paul Baker. He is so enthusiastic, and willing to talk about anything.” She was right. One of my favorite memory images is Paul in our living room, talking with a bunch of students, his head thrown back in the throes of his infectious laugh.
Through our years at Illinois State, Helen and I became close friends with Paul and Sharon. There were other young couples in Normal, Illinois in those days who shared our interests and values. Five of those couples shared child care and meals so often that we gave ourselves a name, the BUMBS, for Baker, Unger [Paul & Judith], McFarland, Bass [Gary & Dianne], and Story [GL and Bettie].
Because three of those men were Methodist ministers, we became scattered geographically. Only the Bakers and Storys continued to live in Bloomington-Normal. But despite those distances, we met together for meals for fifty years, through eight different towns for Helen and me, sharing all the ups and downs of our lives, honing our personal and academic and spiritual theories and practices on one another, Not many people get to share in a friendship group like that for so long.
Then Dianne died. Followed by Bettie. GL. Gary. And now Paul.
The last ten years, with only three BUMBS couples left, we began to lose touch with one another, the way old people do, as travel becomes more difficult. So we didn’t hear right away that Paul had died… and folks still aren’t quite sure…
I’m a bit frustrated by this uncertainty about what comes next. Paul deserves a grand sendoff. Or maybe it is those of who are left who need that sendoff. To remind us of what a giant Paul was even though he was just a BUMB.
Paul ended his career as the Dean of The College of Education at ILSU. He attained the rank of Distinguished Professor. He was known throughout the academic world for his research and writing on the sociology of education, especially for teaching school superintendents how to lead their districts with savvy and commitment and hope.
More than anything, though, Paul was a family man. He and Sharon had four children—a doctor, an actor, a social worker, and a teacher. They produced thirteen grandchildren, a “baker’s dozen.”
Sharon was a wonderful organist, so was always in demand as a church organist. The Bakers were Methodists, but when Sharon played first at a Presbyterian church and then for the Baptists, Paul went along, and always taught an adult Sunday School class. He was the long-time president of the board of Home Sweet Home mission, helping the homeless and helpless. He was a committed Christian and church member, both in his personal relationships and as a social citizen,
Well, we would not be able to travel to a memorial service for Paul anyway, so this is my way of saying goodbye to yet another friend, one who was always a beacon of insight. So many times, as I have tried to figure out some conundrum, I have asked, “What would Paul Baker say about this?” He always had something to say. It was always helpful. It was always encouraging.
John Robert McFarland
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