Harry L. Baker, Jr. Photograph Collection

Harry Lichtenwalter Baker, Jr., a native of Atlanta, graduated from the Georgia School of Technology in 1934 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He served as President of the Georgia Tech Research Institute from 1946 until his death in 1973.

While at Tech, Baker was a member of Beta Theta Phi fraternity. He also served as Vice-President of Alpha Chi Sigma and as President of the M. L. Brittain Debating Society. He became a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers during his student years. In his senior year, he held the position of Manager of the Tennis Team. An excellent student, he was on the Honor Roll for all four years.

During the Second World War, Baker was in the Navy, serving in the Pacific in amphibious operations. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service, and had attained the rank of commander by 1945. After the war ended, he continued to serve in the Naval Reserves until his retirement as a captain in 1972.

After the war, Baker began a position as the first President of the Georgia Tech Research Institute in 1946, a position he would hold until his untimely death at the age of 60 in 1973. He also served as the Assistant Director of the Engineering Experiment Station from 1946 until 1963. In February 1966, he was appointed Director of the Office of Research Administration. In addition to his twenty-seven years of service to Tech, he also attended Emory University's School of Law part-time, and he received a law degree in 1961.

Baker died suddenly after an aneurysm on January 11, 1973. Surviving were his wife, Virginia Cunningham (known as "Kit"); two daughters, Mrs. Dale E. Wallin and Mrs. Earl H. Freeman; and a son, Harry L. Baker III.