Albert Baer

Albert Gottlieb Baer, Sr., 88, died April 18, 2009 in Venice, Florida where he and wife Dorothy made their home for the past 28 years. Albert was born in Springfield, MA and grew up in Longmeadow, MA, graduating fro Tech High School, Springfield in 1938. He attended Northeastern University, Boston, until his education was interrupted by WWII. He resumed his studies when he returned from the war, graduating in 1950 with a degree in electrical engineering. Leaving college in 1940, he joined the navy cadet program and graduated as a naval aviator from Jacksonville (FL) Naval Air Station. Assigned to Grosse Ile, Michigan, he trained English pilots and later was selected as on of the 45 elite, handpicked, pilots for a Special Task Air Group One (STAG 1) under Admiral Ernest Kings. This program became our nation’s first guided missile weapons system. He continued in the USNR, organizing and commanding a weekend Navy squadron (AAU 915) out of Barnes Airport, Westfield, MA, retiring in 1980 with the rank of Commander. Mr. Baer joined Western Mass Electric Co. in 1945 as a draftsman and held positions in the systems planning and electrical planning sections. He became systems superintendent of electrical stations in 1961. When CONVEX (Connecticut Valley Electric Exchange) the forerunner of Northeast Utilities was formed in 1964, Mr. Baer, representing WMECo, was one of four members if the operating committee responsible for the new power exchanges concept, design and function. He was named manager of operations for WMECo in 1966 and became Vice President, Operations WMECo in 1967. In 1969 he was made Engineering VP of Hartford Electric Light Co and moved from West Springfield, MA to the Wethersfield, CT headquarters. In 1975 Mr. Baer was appointed VP of Systems Transmission & Distribution for all of Northeast Utilities, retiring in 1980 after 35 years of service in the industry. Mr. Baer was a registered professional engineer and a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. He was a member of West Springfield, MA Chamber of Commerce and past President of West Springfield Lions Club. He served on several committees of the Edison Electrical Institute and served on the Board of Appeals and Industrial Development Commission, Town of West Springfield. Mr. Baer is survived by Dorothy Rooks Baer, his loving wife of 66 years, a son Albert G. Baer, Jr. (Nancy) of Orange Park, FL, and daughters Diana Young (Ed), Gorham, ME, and Cheryl Vickers (Kirby) of Caldwell, Idaho; three grandchildren, Jeannine Feinstein, Christopher Baer, and Robert Labonte and four great grandchildren. Interment will be in Longmeadow, MA at the family’s convenience.