Robert W. "Bobby" Baird, Jr.

April 26, 1930 to November 11, 2025 “A life in perfect pitch.”

Robert W. “Bobby” Baird, Jr., 95, of Shavertown, Pennsylvania, a renowned trumpeter whose musical career spanned more than eight decades, died on Veterans Day, November 11, 2025.

Born April 26, 1930, in Kingston, he was the son of Marion Winters Baird and Robertson W. Baird, Sr. A gifted musician from earliest childhood, he played his first solo at age five and became a three-time Pennsylvania State Champion trumpeter during his years at Kingston High School, graduating in 1947. He was also an Eagle Scout, serving as bugler at Boy Scout Camp Acahela for three summers.

Baird attended Syracuse University, where he played in the symphonic and marching bands, represented the university in the first New York State All-Collegiate Band, participated in the inaugural jazz concert at Thornden Park, and competed on Syracuse’s wrestling team. He later continued his studies at the Catholic University of America, where he also wrestled and was a Mason-Dixon Conference Champ.

In 1948, at age 18, Baird became the youngest member and trumpet soloist of the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C., serving until 1952. With the band, he toured all 48 contiguous states and was a featured soloist on the national radio program The Navy Hour. He performed at the U.S. Capitol and The White House, appeared as a guest soloist with the U.S. Air Force Symphony on the Time for Defense broadcast, and played at the inauguration of President Harry S. Truman. During these years, he performed with entertainers including Ed Sullivan, Esther Williams, Jack Teagarden, Robert Alda, Peggy Lee, and Rosemary Clooney, and developed a lifelong friendship with vocalist Julius La Rosa. He also performed under famed conductors Dr. Edwin Franco Goldman and Arthur Fiedler of the Boston Pops. While in Washington, he studied trumpet with Lloyd Geisler of the National Symphony Orchestra and Oscar B. Short, former soloist with the John Philip Sousa Band.

After returning to the Wyoming Valley, Baird worked with his father at Baird’s Dairy (which later became Kingston Dairy), and became a member of the Wilkes-Barre Philharmonic, Scranton Philharmonic, Wyoming Valley Oratorio Society Orchestra, Stegmaier Gold Medal Band, the Irem Temple Brass Band, the original Irem Temple Jazz Band, and played in the pit orchestra of the Wilkes-Barre Little Theatre. With the Scranton Philharmonic, he performed with Skitch Henderson and trumpet legend Doc Severinsen. He received the American Legion Medal for Outstanding Service in Music for his work with the Stegmaier Band.

In 1954, he married the love of his life, Patricia Roberts Baird, and later founded The Bobby Baird Dixieland Jazz Band, which performed throughout the northeastern United States for more than 50 years, appearing at colleges, universities, country clubs, Poconos venues, festivals, and the well-known jazz festival at Klein’s Grove. The band recorded radio and television commercials and was featured in the video The Dances. Baird and his band performed for dignitaries including President Ronald Reagan, President Richard Nixon, Rosalynn Carter, and Hillary Clinton, and played at the inaugural party for Pennsylvania Governor Milton Shapp. The band also entertained at private events for Governor William Scranton and Congressman Dan Flood.

Baird was deeply involved in community music and service. He performed for regional events such as the Fine Arts Fiesta, Cherry Blossom Festival, Kirby Park’s Fourth of July celebrations, the Luzerne County Fair, the Back Mountain Library Auction, and more. During the 1980s, his annual concerts at Wilkes University’s Dorothy Darte Dixon Center, sponsored by the Dallas Rotary Club, raised thousands for Rotary charities.

A dedicated Rotarian, Baird was a 20-year member of Kingston Rotary and a 50-year member of Dallas Rotary, where he served as Past President and received Rotary’s highest honor, the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, twice. He earned the 1974 District Governor’s Award for chairing a committee that brought live music to public schools. He and his wife, Patricia, were also active in Rotary’s International Student Exchange Program, hosting three exchange students, the first of whom remains a cherished member of the family.

In 2000, Baird received the Pennsylvania Jazz Society’s Musician Jazzer Award, recognizing his lifelong contributions to jazz. In 2023, he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame, honoring his remarkable impact on the region’s musical heritage. He was a 70-year member of AFM Local 140, a member of the International Trumpet Guild, and served on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Navy Band Alumni Association.

Beyond music, Baird served for 20 years as sales manager and part owner of WNAK Radio in Nanticoke. He was a devoted member of Trucksville United Methodist Church, where he served as trustee, chair of the finance committee, choir member, and performed concerts that raised funds for the church’s building projects. He cherished fishing in Ontario, Canada, and spent many summers fishing at Pickerel Park, Hay Bay. And he loved watching Penn State Football.

Baird was preceded in death by his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Patricia R. Baird, who passed away in August 2024, and by his sister, Beverly Johnson.

He is survived by his children Bonnie Baird, Robert Baird (Christa), Lori Baird Solomon (James), and Wendy Baird; grandchildren Bobby Baird IV (Colleen), Bradley Baird (Colleen), Benjamin Baird, Gregory Domzalski, Allison Davis (Matt), Matthew Solomon, Adam Weidemann, and Andrew Solomon; eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues and friends.

Services will be held Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Trucksville United Methodist Church, with a luncheon to follow in the TUMC Educational Building. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trucksville United Methodist Church c/o 40 Knob Hill, Dallas, Pa 18612 or the Dallas Rotary Charities Fund, c/o P.O. Box 249 Dallas, Pa. 18612. Arrangements are under the direction of The Richard H. Disque Funeral Home, 2940 Memorial Highway, Dallas, PA. On line condolences may be made at Disquefuneralhome.com