George "Babe" Robert Baptist

George Robert “Babe” Baptist passed away on December 4, 2022. He was born on July 10, 1929 in Shelbyville, IL. He excelled as a multi-sport athlete throughout childhood. He continued that success at Beloit College where he met Barbara Roop with whom he enjoyed a 62-year, storybook marriage. They were blessed with three daughters: Wendy (John VanderZee), Debbie (Jim Maakestad), and Stacie.

In the army, Babe proudly served at SHAPE headquarters in Paris. Education was his passion: he taught mathematics and coached many sports, primarily basketball, at St. Charles, Glenbrook South, and Niles North high schools in Illinois. Babe was an active member of The Village Presbyterian Church in Northbrook, IL, serving in leadership positions including as a deacon. Retirement brought Barb and Babe to Sarasota, FL, and they eventually moved into Bay Village retirement community, again, serving in leadership positions. Babe joined The Church of the Palms where he tutored advanced math twice a week for 28 years. Barb and Babe traveled the world with Friendship Force, and Babe took up woodworking, shelling, and gardening, and played tennis well into his 80s.

His other great passion was serving and loving his family. Babe’s grandchildren were his greatest joy—VanderZees: Jenny Singleton (Andrew), Annie, Maddie, Lilly; Sarah McKenney (Spencer); Maakestads: Robbie (Ashley), Mylo; and Will (Anni).

Babe’s first love, Barb, passed away in 2014. At age 88 he married Norma (Bennie) Komarek, renewing his joy for living. He embraced her family as his own. Bennie was the second love of his life: a butterfly-gardening partner, friend, and in the final chapter, his beloved and faithful caregiver. Babe’s family is eternally grateful for her loving care.

“The memory of the righteous is a blessing.” Proverbs 10:7a

A Celebration of Life service will be held on January 21 at 1:30 at Bay Village, 8400 Vamo Road, Sarasota, FL. For information on streaming the service, check back here in Jan. 2023. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the George “Babe” & Barbara Roop Baptist Endowed Scholarship Fund at Beloit College, 700 College St., Box 45, Beloit, WI 53511.

For online tributes, please visit www.rtsfunerals.com