Howard Baker: The Man and His Legacy

Aggressive, opinionated, determined, proud, passionate, committed, dedicated, workaholic, successful. All of these words were used by friends and family members to describe Howard Baker, his life and work ethics.

Born in 1924, Howard Baker, was a trucker by trade and a philanthropist at heart. Dropping out of school in the ninth grade he followed his father into the trucking business. During the late 1940’s, Baker founded the Howard Baker Trucking Company, working hard and building both a successful business and a good honest living for his family.

A native Detroiter, Mr. Baker supported and was dedicated to the city in which he was born, raised and earned his empire. His entire life was one of caring and giving to those he loved. It was this dedication and commitment to the city he loved and its residents, which brought into existence what is known today as the Howard Baker Foundation.

In 1992, The Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3), charitable organization for the primary purpose of providing assistance to deserving minority Detroit high school graduates in financing their education at Wayne State University through their Private Scholarship Program. The Foundation also shows it support by assisting other community based non-profit organizations in the city of Detroit. (See Community)

Howard Baker died from prostate cancer in June 1993. It was at this time the Foundation was endowed with a $5 million gift, a gift to be shared with the city he loved and its residents. It is through Mr. Baker’s love, commitment, dedication and generosity for which he will long be remembered forever.