Dr. Winfield Morgan (Skeets) Baldwin, Jr.

Dr. Winfield Morgan (Skeets) Baldwin, Jr, 95, a 7th generation American, joined his beloved wife (and love of his life) of 69 years, Virginia Sue (Jinx) Rosemond Baldwin, 1929-2020, his parents, Winfield Morgan Baldwin, Sr., 1900-1975, Florence Vivian Merritt Baldwin, 1911-2005. and his sister, Carolyn Baldwin Sheffield, 1936-2021, in the hereafter. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing.

Dr. Baldwin, an Eagle Scout, volunteered July 12, 1943, for service to his country in the Navy. He was an Iwo Jima survivor after landing as a member of a Beach Party on the afternoon of February 20th and being relieved on the afternoon of February 22nd, 1945. On April 1st, his ship, the USS Mellette APA156 experienced Kamikaze attacks off the coast of Okinawa. He was in Tokyo Bay and observed the surrender proceedings on the Missouri on September 2nd, 1945, and later with Marines at Nagasaki for occupation duty. He was discharged on April 9th, 1945, after 33 months of service with the rating of Signalman First Class.

Thanks to the GI Bill, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received his BS Chemistry/Professional ACS degree and later earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree with a major in Organic Chemistry and minors in Physical and Analytical Chemistry. He was a member of Alpha Chi Sigma Professional Chemistry Fraternity, NC Delta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon Social Fraternity and the Society of the Sigma Xi Research Fraternity.

Dr. Baldwin has a broad career professionally beginning as a Development Chemist with Tennessee Eastman (Kodak) from 1955-1961. In 1961, he became Branch Manager in the Atlanta office of the Instrument Division of the Perkin-Elmer Corporation where he was responsible for seven Southeast states. In 1967, he joined the Faculty of the University of Georgia in Athens and finally found his calling in teaching. He estimates that he was privileged to have taught some fifteen thousand or more students mainly Organic Chemistry. He was happy to see many of his former students go on to professional areas of medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, agriculture and environmental sciences, etc. He retired in 1994 as Associate Professor of Chemistry Emeritus.

He is survived by his son, Robert Morgan Baldwin of Mt. Pleasant, S.C. his daughter, Susan Anne Baldwin of Athens, Ga., his daughter-in law, Lynell Baldwin and two grandchildren, Kathryn Baldwin Hecker of Decatur, Ga., and Robert Morgan (Robbie) Baldwin, Jr. of Mt. Pleasant S.C.; Nicholas Hecker, Grandsonin-law and two Great-Grandchildren, Anne Rosemond Hecker and Theodore (Teddy) Robinson Hecker all of Decatur, Ga. He is survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews as well. He loved his family more than anything and always put them first in front of himself.

During his lifetime, he was a former member of many organizations, only a few will be mentioned here: BPO Elks, Rotary Club of Buckhead/Atlanta, Kiwanis of Athens, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Master and York Rite Mason, AAONMS, GA Wing of Civil Air Patrol TAPPI, Playboy Club of Atlanta Madison Country Club, Atlanta Associate of Instrumental Analyst and the American Legion.

At his passing, he was still an active member of the following: Emeritus Member of the American Chemical Society, Emeritus member of the Athens County Club, the Iwo Jima Association of America, the local chapter of the American Legion and the First Presbyterian Church of Athens.

Dr. Baldwin loved his teaching and his many hobbies: Flying, Golf and Fishing. He flew in Kingsport, Tennessee, Atlanta and Athens, Georgia where he owned a few planes. He enjoyed this hobby with his son, Bob, who soloed himself at the age of 16. He loved his Golf and his golfing buddies where he was known as Bull. He was a very good golfer and even was fortunate enough to have one hole in one at the ACC course. He also owned a boat and loved fishing with his friends on various Georgia lakes.

Dr. Baldwin also enjoyed many great Summers and Christmas vacations with his family at Wild Dunes (Isle of Palms, S.C.) where the family enjoyed the beach, seafood and going into Charleston.

The Baldwin family would like to thank all his doctors and staff over the past many years that have taken such great care of him – many of which were his students (Dr. Charles Braucher, Dr. Petros Nikolinakos, Katelyn Gillespie (Nurse Practitioner), Tessa Hall (Pharmacist) and the entire staff of the University Cancer Center, Dr. Ross Campbell, Dr. John Layher, Dr. Cody Gunn, Dr. Brent Crymes, Dr. J. Michael West, Dr. C. Samson, Dr. Jane Parks and Dr. David Lochman, Ron May (Pharmacist) among many others. Special thanks also to his primary caregiver, Carl Berkland, of Christopher’s Bridge Home Care who helped him over the past year plus along with his daughter and son. Thanks also to Compassionate Care Hospice and their care during his last few weeks.

Dr. Baldwin has requested no visitation, memorial or public interment service even though he merits a veteran’s honor guard. Those wishing to do so many make contributions to their favorite charities or the First Presbyterian Church of Athens, Friends of the Oconee Hill Cemetery or the Iwo Jima Association of America. A private graveside service will be held.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, EAST, is in charge of arrangements.