Robert "Bob" David Baldwin

With his family by his bedside, Robert (Bob) David Baldwin, a 35 year resident of Pine Grove passed peacefully from this life on August 24 in Sacramento. Bob, the youngest of six children was born on November 28, 1924 in Buffalo, NY. After surviving the great depression and losing his father at the age of 16, Bob joined the Air Force where he piloted the B-24 Liberator during World War II. While stationed in Europe, he flew missions over Germany and Italy. Near the end of the war his plane was shot down forcing Lieutenant Baldwin out of the war and sending him back home to Buffalo. While recuperating from his injuries, Bob was treated by a pretty young nurse named Mary Elinore Wing who would eventually become Mrs. Robert Baldwin. The couple was married on the national radio program Bride and Groom on November 16, 1949 and celebrated their 50 year anniversary just prior to Mary's passing in 2000. Bob graduated from the University of Buffalo with a degree in Physical Education in 1949. When he was accepted into the UCLA Law School, the young couple moved to Southern California where they would spend the next 27 years raising their family. Upon completing his law degree in 1953, Bob accepted a job with US Steel as a corporate lawyer. In 1966 he opened his own law practice, specializing in Workman's Compensation Law. Having tired of life in the big city, Bob and Mary along with their youngest child Carolyn moved to the wide open spaces of Amador County in 1977. With his contacts from LA, and his reputation as a tough litigator, Bob was able to establish a successful law practice in Jackson. When Mary became ill in the late 90s, Bob sold the firm to help care for his wife. From 2000-2007 he did part time consulting work for the law office of Hannah and Brophy in Stockton before finally retiring. Even in the last years of his life Bob was active, playing racquetball, singing in barbershop choruses , volunteering at the Interfaith Food Bank, and attending church activities at Grace Fellowship. As well as his wife, Bob is preceded in death by his sons David (1953) and John (2012). He is survived by his son James Baldwin of Pine Grove, his daughters Catherine Powers of Palm Desert, and Carolyn Baldwin of Salinas, and four grandchildren. A memorial celebration will be held at Grace Fellowship in Jackson on September 8, at 1100am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Grace Fellowship or Hospice of Amador.