Kent W. Baker, 77, of Rohnert Park, Calif., died Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, in Petaluma, Calif.

He was born at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea on April 7, 1935, the son of Earl J. Baker and Ida M. (Wagner) Baker. After graduating from Albert Lea High School in 1953, he attended Mankato State University for a year before enlisting in the U.S. Army. Following his honorable discharge from the service, spent principally in Japan, he returned to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree from the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota.

His professional career was involved with sales and fundraising for business and nonprofit organizations, respectively. On a personal level he enjoyed coaching soccer and basketball for elementary and middle school students in Foster City, Calif.

Kent is survived by his son, Mark Baker, and granddaughter, Emily Baker, both of Rohnert Park, Calif., and daughter, Shelby Baker, of Foster City. Also he leaves sister, Joyce (Baker) Cardi (ALHS ’49) of Columbus, Ohio, and brother John Baker (ALHS ’46) of Cincinnati, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law, Barbara (Anderson) Baker and brother-in-law, Charles Cardi.

Interment was at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, Calif.