Date of death: 3/31/2022
Saint Meinrad Class: GTP
Dr. Donald “Don” Gilbert Baird, 78, of Monrovia was freed of all earthly ailments on Thursday, March 31, 2022, in the comfort of his home while surrounded by his loving family. He was born in St. Louis, MO on January 30, 1944, to the late Percy P. and Dorothy (Friend) Baird.
A proud graduate from Francis Joseph Reitz High School in Evansville, Don selflessly enlisted in the United States Army, serving his country as a Green Beret. In 1968, he met the love of his life, Ann, while working in a local hospital, and the dynamic duo were joyously united in marriage on March 28, 1969. Continuing his lifelong passion for learning and serving others, he attended Arizona State, earning a dual degree in Chemistry and Biology, later receiving his medical degree at Kansas City University, becoming a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Settling in Monrovia in 1986, Don maintained a private practice for several years as a family doctor, also spending many long days and nights working in local emergency rooms and urgent care sectors, delivering over 100 babies throughout his career, including two of his daughters!
A loving husband and father, Don and Ann were blessed with daughters, raising them with all the life lessons needed to be self-sufficient in their own right. An animal lover, the family were continuously blessed with fur babies through the years, giving a happy home to twenty-six dogs. Although he sometimes had a stubborn side, his sense of humor managed to shine through making the world a brighter place. His unquenchable thirst for knowledge gave life to a wide variety of hobbies and pastimes throughout his life. Whether earning a black belt in karate, studying physics, politics, or religion, he rarely became half-interested in anything and his quest to learn each new interest or hobby to the fullest will be fondly remembered.
Along with his parents, Don was preceded in death by his daughter, Veronica Baird, and siblings Maxine Baird-Petti, Pat Inkenbrandt, and Buddy Baird.
Left to mourn his loss are his wife of 53 years, Ann (Brammer) Baird, of Monrovia: daughters, Dana Atwell (Allen) of Monrovia, Courtney (Damon) of Indianapolis, Alexa (Nick) of Indianapolis; grandchildren, Ellen Davis (Trey), Sam (Haley), Jack , and Annelise Atwell, all of Monrovia; cherished great granddaughter Wrenley, all of whom referred to him affectionately as “Dr. Baird”; brothers Neal Baird (Laura) of Zionsville, Paul Baird (Marcia) of Sandy, UT, and Lee Baird (Sally) of Carmel; a host of nieces and nephews, along with his beloved beagle, Smeagol.