By Nicole Hamilton
Enquirer staff writer

LATONIA - Benjamin Schell Baker's commitment to community went well beyond his involvement with the military and his 40-year career with Cincinnati Bell.

He believed strongly in bettering the educational system in Northern Kentucky and served two terms on the Covington Board of Education.

Over the years, he was appointed to numerous public positions, including the state advisory council on vocational education, and in President Johnson's War on Poverty program that established adult-education classes in Covington.

Mr. Baker died Thursday at Rosedale Manor in Latonia of complications from a stroke. The lifelong Northern Kentucky resident was 81.

"He will be remembered for his beautiful smile and his kind, gentle disposition," said his son, James Baker of Crestview Hills.

Raised in Covington, Mr. Baker graduated from Holmes High School in 1941. That year, he began his career with Cincinnati Bell - first as a draftsman, and later as a switchboard and key systems engineer. By the time he retired in 1981, he was public affairs manager for the company.

Mr. Baker left Cincinnati Bell in 1942 and joined the Navy to serve in World War II. The Navy sent him to Texas A&M University, where he studied electronics. He was eventually sent to the South Pacific, where he took part in amphibious invasion operations.

While in the Navy, he met G. Kathy Nitschke, who was studying nursing in San Francisco. After the two married, they moved to Northern Kentucky and he resumed his career with Cincinnati Bell.

In 1952, Mr. Baker was appointed for a two-year term to the Kenton County Home for the Aged (now Rosedale Manor). He also served on the Kenton County Police Merit Board and as a panelist for the White House Conference on Education.

Mr. Baker was also a member of the board for Citizens Federal Savings & Loan.

One of the founding members of the Northern Kentucky Arts Council, he was named in 1972 as a member of the board of trustees of the Baker-Hunt Foundation in Covington, and he served as president of the organization for three years until 2000.

He was a member of the Cincinnati Art Club, serving as secretary, treasurer and director, and editor of the club's monthly newsletter.

A daughter, Kathy Ann Baker, died in 1952.

Besides his son, survivors include his wife, Kathy Baker of Latonia; a daughter, Linda Dennis of Dayton; a brother, John Baker of Florence; a sister, Barbara Schocet of Latonia; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. today at Connley Brothers Funeral Home, 11 E. Southern Ave., Latonia.

The service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Erlanger.

Memorials can be made to Baker-Hunt Foundation, 620 Greenup St., Covington, 41011.

---

E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com