Richard Arthur Baer, Jr.

Richard Arthur Baer, Jr., 94, died on March 5, 2026, in the firm conviction that he will be raised to eternal life in Christ. Born October 18, 1931, in Syracuse, NY, to Richard and Mary (Meister) Baer, he was reared in a faithful, loving home as the youngest of three children.

Educated at Syracuse University, Tübingen University as a Fulbright Scholar, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Harvard University, Baer was a professor of New Testament at Earlham College before beginning a program in environmental ethics at Cornell University. During his 30 years on the faculty at Cornell, Baer was an award-winning teacher and trusted mentor and advisor to generations of graduate and undergraduate students. His engaging teaching style, academic rigor, and kindness were legendary, as was his love of good conversations and arguments. Stubborn to a fault, he was ultimately humble and flexible in his willingness to change his views. Baer was a key early figure in helping establish Chesterton House, a Christian study center and community at Cornell. He published extensively in biblical studies, educational reform and school choice, and land use policy, and he was a pioneer in applying theological and ethical insights to the study of the environment.

Baer was predeceased by his parents; brother William Baer and his wife Geraldine, sister Mary Thorson and her husband Walter; and grandson Luke Richard Porteous. He is survived by his wife of almost 48 years, Carol Jane (Bowling) Baer, as well as his first wife, Joan Riddell Baer; his daughter Rebecca (David) Porteous, and son Jonathan (Carolyn) Baer; grandchildren Benjamin (Polina), Jonathan, and Nathaniel Porteous, and Nathaniel, Christopher (Lydia), and Noelle Baer; great-grandchildren Vera Porteous and James Baer; nephews William Baer, Eric Baer, and Walter Thorson, and niece Lydia Green, and their spouses, children, and grandchildren; and many dear friends.

Baer was a committed Christian known for his generosity of spirit and his amazing love and faithful care for his wife Carol in the midst of her decades-long experience of multiple sclerosis. He was a longtime member of Bethel Grove (BG) Bible Church. In his final years and for many years amidst Carol's illness, gracious and loving Christian friends at BG and beyond were the hands and feet of Christ to them, none more so than Marsha Heisler. To all of them, his family is immensely grateful.

His was a life well lived, with many challenges and hardships, blessings and joy. He lived and died trusting in God's goodness and grace, the sure hope of heaven and full restoration in Christ. Soli Deo Gloria

A graveside service will be held Saturday, March 14, 12:00 noon, at Lake View Cemetery in Ithaca, and a memorial celebration will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Chesterton House at Cornell (https://chestertonhouse.org/).