Walter D. Baker (Died 1943)

BAKER

Posted By: John Davis (email)
Date: 1/18/2020 at 09:45:24

Obit posted in Ottumwa Courier October 11, 1943
Photo posted with obit
Ottumwa Science Teacher A Suicide
Walter D. Baker, 43, supervisor of elementary science studies in Ottumwa grade schools and teacher of industrial arts at the Stuart Junior high school, died suddenly about 3 p.m. Monday. Baker who lived at 322 East Fourth street, died at 922 North Green street. Coroner Gordon Traul said that death resulted from arsenic poison which Baker had taken. Coroner Traul said that no inquest would be held since the attending physician had advised him that Baker had committed suicide. Baker came here in the fall of 1933 teaching manual training at the Adams school and doing supervisory work at Washington Junior high school. In 1939 he taught agriculture in the high school during the absence of Paul A. Troeger, later taking over supervision of science classes at the grades. He was a graduate of Clarinda high school attending Iowa State Teachers college, Iowa State College and the University of Sothern California, receiving his B.A. degree from the latter school. He taught at Nevinville consolidated school and Boone Junior high school before coming to Ottumwa. He is survived by his mother, Susie R. Baker of Los Angeles; and brother, Paul R. Baker of Los Angeles, and one sister also in California. The body is at the Lester Jay funeral home awaiting completion of funeral arrangements.
Funeral services for Walter D. Baker, Ottumwa schoolteacher who died Monday afternoon will be held at 7 p.m. today at the Lester Jay funeral home in charge of the Rev. Herbert Allen Keck D.D. of the First Methodist church. Burial will be in Los Angeles.