KILMARNOCK—Kenneth “Ken” Baker, 91, died peacefully on October 20, 2026, in Kilmarnock.
Born in Southport, England, on September 23, 1935, to Laura and John Baker, he grew up in New Jersey, served in the U.S. Army and graduated from the University of Kansas.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Maricel Q. Baker; his daughter, K. Laine Hockman and son-in-law, Matthew; his brother, Frank Baker and wife, Doris; nephew, Kevin and niece, Stacey; three grandchildren, Erin, Joseph and Jeremiah; three great-grandchildren, McKenzie, Payton and Grayson, and their mother, Stacy.
After teaching at Hollins University, Roanoke, Ken spent most of his professional life in the Washington, D.C. area, retiring Professor Emeritus from American University where he designed and taught courses in creative writing, creative theories and criticism, and creativity and the creative process. A few examples of works he directed include “Of Thee I Sing,” “Pins and Needles,” “The Crucible,” “Inherit the Wind,” “Incident at Vichy,” “A Masked Ball” (opera), “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” and “La Perichole” (opera).
Some of his former students included Tom Shales, critic, The Washington Post; Ernest Thompson, author, On Golden Pond; Marcey Galen Heilish, author, A Woman Called Moses; Wendy Hoopes, actor, Lincoln Center and Arena Stage; and several actor members of the OBIE AWARD winner, the New York Theatre Caravan.
While in Washington, Ken worked with numerous well-known artists, such as actors E. G. Marshall and Robert Prosky, playwrights Jerome Lawrende and Frank Gilroy, and literary critics Richard Coe and Davey Marlin Jones.
At the American University, he founded and directed the international Audrey Wood Playwriting Competition (1970 – 1980). Ms. Wood represented such luminaries as Tennessee Williams, William Inge, Arthur Kopit and writer Studs Terkel. He was also a judge for the National Committee on Working Women Broadcast Awards in Washington, D.C., with awards to actresses Linda Lavin, Betty Thomas, Jean Stapleton and Maureen Bunyan.
Upon retirement from American University and the Washington, D.C., theatre world, he and his wife fell in love with—and moved to—the Northern Neck, residing both in Northumberland and Lancaster counties. He served as artistic advisor for the Lancaster Players, working with John Binns during the early stages of the Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts and eventually serving as a founding member of its board of directors.
Eventually, after years of university teaching and professional creative work in the performing arts, Ken discovered watercolors, re-focused his creative efforts and became a student again. His works were gentle and soft, expressive and clear, with a bit of an impressionistic feeling of light and air.
While at the Gallery, Ken served in a variety of roles, including as vice president of the Rappahannock Art League.
Active in community service, he served as a Court Advocate for The Haven for Victims of Domestic Violence and a member of Virginians Against Domestic Violence and Salvation Army.
Ken’s volunteerism and dedication to many nonprofits in the Northern Neck was unparalleled, but he had a special devotion to the Northern Neck CASA Program. He served on the CASA board of directors for 15 years, spearheading major fundraising efforts. At the same time, his efforts as an active advocate in many abuse and neglect cases were exceptional. He took these cases very close to his heart.
Please join us to share memories and celebrate Ken’s life from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, November 14, at the RAL Art Center in Kilmarnock.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to RAL or CASA.
Currie Funeral Home LLC of Kilmarnock handled the arrangements.
