Dexter Farrington Baker

Background

Baker was born on April 16, 1927, in Worcester, Massachusetts, to Leland Dyer Baker and Edith Quimby Baker. He came of age during the Depression and the Second World War, a period when American manufacturing and engineering were becoming increasingly important to national economic and military development.

He served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1945 to 1946 and in the United States Army from 1950 to 1952. His military service preceded and overlapped the beginning of his industrial career, linking his early professional life to the postwar expansion of American engineering, chemical processing, and manufacturing.

Education

Baker received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University in 1950 and a Master of Business Administration from the same university in 1957. Lehigh, founded in Bethlehem in 1865 by industrialist Asa Packer, developed a strong tradition in engineering, business, and practical scientific education in the industrial Lehigh Valley.

Lehigh later awarded Baker an honorary Doctor of Engineering in 1981. Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 1991, and Muhlenberg College awarded him an honorary doctorate of humanities in 1998.

Career

Baker joined Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. in 1952 as a sales engineer. Air Products, founded in 1940, developed from a supplier of industrial gases and process equipment into a multinational company serving manufacturing, energy, electronics, and other industrial markets. Baker became general sales manager of the process equipment division in 1956.

In 1957 he was appointed managing director of Air Products Limited and began the company's European operations. From 1964 to 1967 he served as chief executive of Air Products' European operations and joined the company's board of directors. His European assignments coincided with Air Products' expansion beyond its original American market and helped establish the international framework of the company.

Baker returned to the United States in 1967 and became executive vice president in 1968. He was elected president and chief operating officer in 1978, then became chairman of the board and chief executive officer in 1986. He retired from the company in May 1992 and left its executive committee in January 1998.

As chairman and chief executive officer, Baker pursued the globalization of Air Products and supported a corporate goal of substantially increasing sales outside the United States. He also held national business-policy responsibilities, including chairmanship of the National Association of Manufacturers, service as a chemical industry trade adviser, and chairmanship of the Investment Policy Advisory Committee to the United States Trade Representative. In January 1992 he accompanied President George H. W. Bush on a presidential trade mission to Asia and the Pacific Rim.

After retiring from Air Products, Baker remained active in corporate, educational, civic, and philanthropic affairs. He served as a director of AMP Incorporated and Eastman Chemical Company, advised Lutron Electronics, and chaired a $35 million campaign for Lehigh University's Zoellner Arts Center and Baker Concert Hall.

Achievements

• Baker led Air Products and Chemicals' expansion into Europe and later guided the company's international development as chairman and chief executive officer from 1986 to 1992.

• He chaired the $35 million campaign that supported the construction of Lehigh University's Zoellner Arts Center and Baker Concert Hall.

• He served as chairman of the National Association of Manufacturers and participated in national trade-policy discussions as a chemical industry trade adviser and member of the Investment Policy Advisory Committee to the United States Trade Representative.

Religion

Baker was a Presbyterian and was identified as an elder within the denomination. Presbyterianism is a Reformed Protestant tradition shaped by the theology of John Calvin, representative church government through elders, and an emphasis on scripture, preaching, education, and disciplined communal life.

His religious affiliation formed part of the civic and institutional setting in which he participated in community philanthropy, higher education, and charitable foundations.

Politics

Baker was associated with the Republican Party and with Republican-oriented business and trade policy networks. His public activity included service as chairman of the Investment Policy Advisory Committee to the United States Trade Representative and participation in national discussions of manufacturing and international commerce.

During Baker's public career, the Republican tradition generally combined support for private enterprise, industrial competitiveness, limited government regulation, and international trade, although it contained differing views on protectionism and the role of government in economic development. Baker publicly opposed protectionist measures and argued for stronger cooperation between government and industry to develop technologies, products, markets, and employment.

Views

Baker's public business statements emphasized international competitiveness, technological development, cooperation between government and industry, and opposition to protectionism. He argued that American manufacturing should expand through new technologies, products, markets, and jobs rather than rely on restrictions against foreign competition.

His civic work also reflected a practical philosophy of institutional stewardship. Through Lehigh University, charitable foundations, arts organizations, and community groups, he directed business and philanthropic resources toward education, culture, economic development, and social service.

Membership

Baker belonged to the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the American Management Association, the National Association of Manufacturers, and Theta Chi. These organizations connected him with professional engineering, management, manufacturing-policy, and fraternal networks.

He also participated in Lehigh University and regional civic organizations, including the Asa Packer Society, the Iacocca Institute Advisory Board, and the Agile Manufacturing Enterprise Forum. His service extended to the Pennsylvania Economic Development Partnership Board and the Investment Policy Advisory Committee to the United States Trade Representative, organizations concerned with economic development, trade, and industrial policy.

• Member.

  American Institute of Chemical Engineers , United States

• Member.

  American Management Association , United States

• Chairman.

  National Association of Manufacturers , United States

• Member.

  Theta Chi , United States

• Trustee emeritus.

  Lehigh University Board of Trustees , United States

• Former member.

  Asa Packer Society , United States

• Former member.

  Iacocca Institute Advisory Board , United States

• Former member.

  Agile Manufacturing Enterprise Forum , United States

• Former member.

  Pennsylvania Economic Development Partnership Board , United States

• Former chairman.

  Investment Policy Advisory Committee to the United States Trade Representative , United States

Personality

Baker was described by Air Products leadership as a forward-thinking executive who set demanding goals for the company's international expansion and remained active in community improvement after retirement.

Quotes from others about the person

• Air Products chairman, president, and chief executive officer John McGlade described Baker as a constant advocate for the health and success of Air Products and credited him with helping globalize the company.

Interests

• Higher education, the arts, community philanthropy, manufacturing policy, and economic development.

• Politicians

  George H. W. Bush

Connections

Baker married Dorothy Ellen Hess on June 23, 1951. They had four daughters: Ellen L., Susan A., Leslie A., and Carolyn J. The family later supported charitable, educational, cultural, and community initiatives through the Dexter F. and Dorothy H. Baker Foundation.

Baker maintained a long institutional connection with Lehigh University as a graduate, trustee, trustee emeritus, donor, and campaign chair. His leadership of the campaign for Zoellner Arts Center and Baker Concert Hall connected his corporate career with the cultural and educational development of the Lehigh Valley.

Father:

Leland Dyer Baker

Mother:

Edith Quimby Baker

Spouse:

Dorothy Ellen Hess

child:

Carolyn J. Baker

child:

Leslie A. Baker

child:

Susan A. Baker

child:

Ellen L. Baker

References

• In Memoriam: Former Air Products Chairman and CEO Dexter Baker Air Products' memorial announcement documenting Baker's birth year, death on November 1, his career with the company, military service, education, awards, professional affiliations, civic leadership, and philanthropic work.
  2012
• Chemical Industry Medal: Past Recipients Society of Chemical Industry record identifying Baker as the 1991 recipient of the Chemical Industry Medal.
• Lehigh University Course Catalog 2003–2004 Lehigh University catalog identifying Baker as a trustee emeritus and recording his degrees and honorary degrees.
  2003