Roger and Martha Baird

Roger Ellsworth Baird and Martha Jeanette Baird passed away within days of each other. They shared a remarkable love story that began when they met at a mixer near Kent State University and stayed beside each other for the remainder of their lives; over 55 years of marriage. They leave behind two beloved daughters, Brynna and Natalie, and four grandchildren.

Roger Ellsworth Baird of West Akron passed away peacefully on August 28, 2021. Born in Wadsworth, Ohio on September 16, 1941, he graduated from the University of South Georgia and The University of Akron. Roger worked for First National Bank of Ohio and retired from the City of Akron in their Housing and Urban Development Office. He also had an honorable career serving in the U.S. Army Reserves as part of the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He earned the designation of Sharpshooter and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Roger was a dedicated father and grandfather first and foremost, but he also greatly enjoyed working on his cars and driving his hot rod.

Martha Jeanette Baird of West Akron passed away peacefully on September 2, 2021. Born in Salem, Ohio on October 3, 1943, Martha graduated from Kent State University where she was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority. She worked for over a decade as a computer programmer at B.F. Goodrich and taught computer-programming courses at The University of Akron. In addition to being a loving mother and grandmother, Martha was a longtime member of the Merriman Hills Garden Club, and she was a Friend of the Akron-Summit County Public Library. She loved to play bridge with her bridge group of fifty plus years, was an avid gardener, and enjoyed taking art lessons with a good friend.

Roger and Martha were married on May 21, 1966 in Salem, Ohio. They then moved to West Akron, where they resided for the remainder of their lives. They were both long time members of Monroe (which became New Covenant) Presbyterian Church. Every summer they vacationed at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, where they had a second home. Wrightsville Beach is a special place for the family, as Martha's parents and sister's family would also vacation there.

They leave behind their two cherished daughters, Brynna Baird-So, Natalie Klockars (Jeffrey); grandchildren Sydney and Oliver So, Gunnar and Preston Klockars; niece Amanda Meloy Weiss; and nephew Richard Stewart (Melanie). They are preceded in death by their parents, Esther and William Talbott (Martha), Mabel and Porter Baird (Roger); Martha's sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Thomas Meloy; Roger's sister, Julie Stewart; and their beloved bulldog, Cleo.

The family will have calling hours at Hummel Funeral Home at 500 E. Exchange St. Akron, OH 44304 on Thursday, September 16, 2021 from 4-7p.m., which would have been Roger's 80th birthday. Roger and Martha will be laid to rest together at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery on Friday September 17, 2021 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association, the Parkinson's Foundation, or the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank