William Rhodes Baker, 60
Was active in archery; owned Tepee Archery Tackle Co.

WESTMINSTER - William Rhodes Baker, 60, of 80 Town Farm Road, died Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007, at Emerson Hospital, Concord, following a 10-year battle with a lung disease.

He was a son of the late Eben H. and Ruth L. (Rhodes) Baker. He was born on Nov. 6, 1947 in Newton, and was a descendant of the Pilgrims and Nantucket Whaling captains. He was a 1965 graduate of Newton South High School and ITT Tech. He lived all his life in Newton until moving to Westminster 11 years ago.

Since 1972 he has been owner and operator of the Tepee Archery Tackle Company of Acton, the family business which was started by his father in 1924 and is attributed to be the oldest all archery pro shop in the United States.

Mr. Baker has been active in archery since the age of three. He was a master coach for the National Field Archery Association, and a Level 2 Coach for the National Archery Association. In 1997 he was awarded Archery Dealer of the Year for the country, in 2000 he was listed in the "Who's Who of Businesses in America." He was a member of the Tepee Archers, a Life Member of the National Field Archery Association, a Life Member of the Massachusetts Archery Association, a Life Member of the Hopkinton Sportsmen's Club and served on their Board of Directors, a Lunenburg Sportsmen's Club member, the secretary of the Independent Dealers Association, an American Red Cross Certified Instructor, a Certified Master Bow Hunter, in 1980 he wrote the instructor manual for the American Camping Association, Head Instructor for the Junior Olympic Archery Development Youth Program at Tepee Archery, in 1966 he started the Archery Program at Newton Jr. College, from 1963 to 1965 started and operated the Intramural Archery Program at Newton South High School, in 1995 he re-wrote the Instructional Manuel for the National Field Archery Association, was a Certified Arrowsmith, and was a Certified Instructor for the National Rifle Association. He was a member of the Westminster Historical Society and a former board member of the Westminster Historical Commission.

He holds many championship awards in archery competition both at the state and national levels. He was an avid archer, bow hunter, target shooter, sportsman, fisherman and loved being in the woods.

Mr. Baker was deeply involved with the Boy Scouts of America for the past 45 years. Also, he and his family have been teaching archery for the City of Newton's Parks and Recreation Department for the past 55 years, along with several other area towns.

He was also a member of the Grace Chapel in Lexington.

Mr. Baker leaves his wife, Ellen (Erickson) Baker; two step-children, Catherine Ward and her husband, David of Acton and Richard Blake of Derry, N.H.; two sisters, Louise (Carol) Baker of Acton and Ann Flanders of Bedford, N.H.; three nephews, Geofrey Hutton, Jay Flanders, and Scott Flanders all of New Hampshire; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Donald and Lois (Erickson) LaPan of Medway, Richard and Marcia Erickson of Norwich, Conn., and Robert and Jean Erickson of Ludlow; as well as several relatives in Milford, Bellingham, and the Mendon areas.

Funeral services are private. Following cremation, Mr. Baker will be placed in the Chapel at the Cemetery in Newton.

Memorial donations may be made to the Massachusetts Field Archery Association Scholarship Fund, c/o Ruby Shannon, 96 Lake Front, Lunenburg, MA 01462 or to the Westminster Historical Society, c/o Betsy Hannula, 110 Main St., Westminster, MA 01473.

The Westminster Chapel of the Sawyer-Miller-Masciarelli Funeral Homes assisted the family.