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Newsroom Baker: Adversity Leads to a Lifetime of Giving By Amy Claver At the age of 70, Eph Baker, CLU, ChFC, of Montoursville, Pennsylvania, had celebrated nearly 50 years of marriage, raised two children and had a very successful 30-year career in the insurance business. Some might expect that the only thing Baker was writing at that point were his memoirs.
Not so. Now 88 years old, the 39-year MDRT member has made his 70s and 80s his most productive years, with 15 Court of the Table and 11 Top of the Table qualifications. Baker continues to be productive in other ways, as well. He walks his dog several miles each morning, rides his bicycle or uses his treadmill daily, and often bicycles up to 25 miles over mountain terrain on the weekends. For all his success, Baker has had his share of challenges and bad breaks over the years. Baker was 15 years old in 1929 when the stock market crashed. His formative years were spent in the midst of the Great Depression. He has lived with diabetes for 50 years, undergone triple bypass heart surgery, suffered the loss of his business partner in a car accident and seen his office destroyed by a flood. He currently cares for his wife, Bess, who survived a stroke. His spirit, however, has remained unscathed by these events. Perhaps because of his setbacks, personal philanthropy has always been an important part of his life. His experiences taught him that each of us is part of a whole. Throughout his career, Baker has given back, supporting the MDRT Foundation and many charitable organizations to help those in need. After 22 years of involvement with the Foundation and more than $50,000 in contributions, the MDRT Foundation inducted Baker into its most prestigious ranks, as a Knight of the Excalibur Society. Excalibur Knighthood, the Foundation’s highest level of support, is reserved for Knights whose accumulated contributions reach $50,000. The MDRT Foundation celebrated Baker’s installation into the Excalibur Society with a dinner in his honor. Twenty-four of Baker’s family members, friends and industry colleagues gathered November 7, 2002, for the event in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. MDRT Foundation Secretary and 30-year member Allan G. Hancock, CLU, ChFC, of Altoona, Pennsylvania, officially presented an Excalibur Sword to his friend. His financial success now is a far cry from his early year. After completing three years of service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Baker returned home to raise two young children and build his insurance business. Baker and Bess saved enough money to buy a home, which came with the added stress of a monthly mortgage payment, a daunting $46 per month. They were getting by, but not much was left over for extras. When buying carpet was all the rage among her friends, Bess’ floors were linoleum. One of her friends asked her why she didn’t get carpet. Always supportive of her husband and his career, she replied: “I’ll take life insurance. If something happens to my husband, we can’t eat carpet.” Over the years, Baker’s favorite saying, “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” has come in handy. This long-time Qualifying and Life Member of MDRT has overcome much to be a success, both in his family life and in his career. Amy Claver is the MDRT Foundation’s major giving coordinator.
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