Dale Allen Baker, 48 of San Diego, California, passed away October 24, 2012 suddenly and peacefully at his home in San Diego.
He was born May 14, 1964 in Greenville, OH, son of Richard William Baker and the late Charlene Virginia (Beatty) Baker.
Dale is survived by his wife Susan (Bopf) Baker and their children Daniel Aaron Baker (11) and Rebecca Ann Baker (6) as well as his father, Richard William Baker of Greenville, OH; brother, John Robert (Jennifer A) Baker and their children Jackson Robert Baker and Johanna Elizabeth Baker of Virginia Beach, VA.
After graduating from Tri-Village High School in 1982, he attended the University of Cincinnati and received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1987. From there, Dale went on to the University of California at San Diego and earned a M.S. in 1988 and Ph.D. in 1992, both in Bioengineering.
Dale was widely appreciated for his research contributions in several areas. He was instrumental in the design and application of sensors for continuous monitoring of glucose for use in diabetes, and especially for lactate, a key metabolic substrate related to exercise. He used his lactate sensors in collaboration with research colleagues at the Scripps Institute for Oceanography in San Diego for recording metabolism in diving seals, sea lions and turtles. This research lead to a better understanding of how diving mammals manage to remain submerged and active for extended periods on a single breath of air, without negative consequences. Dale also worked on the development of modified hemoglobin for use as a blood substitute in injury and trauma. This may eventually be used as an alternative to transfusions from over-extended blood banks.
Dale was also well-known at UCSD as an outstanding teacher. He had taught a large number of appreciative undergraduate Bioengineering students the basics of biomechanics, physiology, process design, and instrumentation. He was highly regarded for his clear and thoughtful lectures, and his general concern for the students.
Dale was a dedicated father coaching sports teams and a scout leader. He was widely admired by a large of number of co-workers, students and friends. He will be deeply missed.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30am, Thursday, November 8, at the Oliver-Floyd Funeral Home in Greenville, OH. Burial will follow in the Miller Cemetery near Palestine, OH. A ceremony celebrating Dale’s life will be held Saturday, November 17, at the Solana Beach Presbyterian Church in Solana Beach, CA.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home 6-8:00pm on Wednesday, November 7, and 9:30-10:30am on Thursday, November 8 . The family requests that memorial contributions be given to the Surfrider Foundation.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.oliverfloyd.com.
