Keith B. Baker

August 18th, 2020

What a heartbreaking loss. The world needs more mensches like Keith. You are missed and with great sadness.

~Brad R.
~Old friend, Philadelphia

May 7th, 2020

I met Keith at summer camp in 1969, before we both started 8th grade. We became fast friends and spent a lot of time together the next couple of years. We watched “Creature Features” on TV every Saturday night, and he taught me how to play poker. Even then, Keith seemed wise for his years, and I was always learning from him. Though we went our separate ways for a long time, Keith was always someone I could rely on for an honest opinion and sensible advice. In recent years we got to see more of each other, and this past October I called him to get his thoughts on some serious matters. He seemed like the usual cheerful Keith—though I know now that he was already seriously ill. To me, Keith was a rock—always dependable, confident, strong, and in good humor. As such, his death came as a terrible shock. He was a dear friend and I will miss him very much.

~David Hast
~Friend, Michigan

May 6th, 2020

Jared and I were so saddened to hear of Keith’s passing. Keith was always such a positive and genuine man. He gave 100 percent of himself to so many people. He was such a generous host and loved bringing so many people together for his wonderful events. His compassion and empathy were as infinite as his soul.

Jared and I send many condolences to his family and friends. May Keith’s loving memory be a blessing for all of those that knew and loved him.

Jared and Gigi Ramis

~Gigi Ramis
~Friend, Deerfield, IL

May 5th, 2020

When my father died in 2008, I was lucky to find Keith Baker, who was recommended to me by a neighbor. Keith untangled my dad’s complicated estate plan. He was very patient in explaining everything I need to know, then taking care of it all. He subsequently untangled the estate of my aunt and uncle.

Little did I know that the love of MY life, my dear husband Dennis, would die of the complications of Parkinson’s and bone cancer in 2012. We have 3 kids–2 sons and a daughter–who were devastated. Dennis was 66; we had been together for almost 50 years, having met at a high school graduation party. I was non-functional; Keith took care of everything for me. I couldn’t have been more grateful for his calm, level, compassionate way of working with me.

Eight years have passed. My kids and I are thriving, but we’ll never fully recover from his loss. The younger of our seven grandchildren don’t remember him, but the teenagers do. I’ll never forget Keith, however, and, like you, mourn his loss.

~Judith Fradin
~Grateful Client, Evanston, IL

May 5th, 2020

I first met Keith at the Lilac Tree several years ago. He was always smiling, upbeat, and came ready with good ideas and contacts to move us forward and he was always so selfless about that commitment, never wanting anything in return other than to help. While I did not speak to Keith often or even lately, I always felt I could have his ear as a friend or colleague. My condolences to the family on your loss of this lovely man.

~mark smith
~friend/colleague, Evanston

May 5th, 2020

I met Keith in law school, he was one of 70 of us who took all our first year classes together. My roommate Teri and I lived across the hall from him for 2 years, and I fondly recall the dinners we cooked together and clothes we ironed in preparation for job interviews. Keith loved impromptu social gatherings and made law school a more bearable place with his infectious grin and upbeat attitude. For many years afterwards we gathered annually for football games and had a blast. Keith died much too young, and I join with Maurine and the children in their sadness at his passing. Catherine Wiegand Herrmann

~Catherine Wiegand Herrmann
~friend, IL

May 5th, 2020

Maurine- Lynn and I are stunned and deeply saddened to learn about Keith. 43 years ago, me and my two friends went to live with 4 strangers and a Guinea Pig. The common friend of course was Keith. That year at Saffer Court provided great memories and was clearly the best of my 4 years at Illinois. Keith made sure that our friendship would last over 40 years because he checked in on me and invited me to your home and fabulous Halloween parties. Despite only seeing each other occasionally, our friendship and memories were always current. Our heartfelt condolences to the Baker family and virtual hugs. Rob Silverman

~Rob Silverman
~Friend, Northbrook

May 4th, 2020

Keith was an amazing man – always positive, professional and funny. He volunteered with The Lilac Tree for many years as a speaker, as a programming committee member, and as an extra advisor to me as a Director. We all, at The Lilac Tree will surely miss his easy going charm – he was able to make our clients laugh with a corny joke or story when talking about such difficult topics. He made estate planning sound easy!

And the last time he presented in November 2019, he even told a lovely story about his amazing wife and about just having celebrated a wedding anniversary. He will be truly missed. Our deepest sympathies to the whole family.

~Lorraine Murphy
~Keith volunteered at The Lilac Tree, Evanston, Illinois

May 4th, 2020

Keith was truly a good person. And a good friend. Alas, I do not feel comfortable talking in public about the one thing that Keith did to make that so clear to me. But I will share an adventure Keith and I had: it was spending a couple of hours on the lake ice in northern Minnesota, in a hut darkened so you could see the fish below, and learning from an older gentleman how to spearfish, with the man’s antique spear and lures handed down from his grandfather. That is not an experience that I could have had with many people other than Keith!

~Flexman
~Friend, Illinois

May 4th, 2020

So sad to read about Keith’s passing – please extend our whole family’s (Matt and Suzy) sympathies to Beverly, another layer of sorrow for her. We lived across the street, and remember Keith as being not only good-looking, but as such a nice guy – our son especially looked up to him. We didn’t see him that often, but he always impressed us as a role-model person – kind, fun, and focussed. He even had time for a wave or conversation with the kids at that time. Beverly and Russ raised a fine young man.

~Jinger and Howard Sokol
~former neighbors in Skokie, Lincolnshire, Ill.

May 3rd, 2020

Keith Baker Photograph

~Shalom

May 3rd, 2020

I met Keith at Camp Chi and spent two summers sharing a cabin with him when we were kids. We reconnected years later at the Courthouse where we both practiced law. Keith always smiled and was a great guy. I’ll miss seeing him.

~Howard rosenberg
~Old friend,