When American Security bought Columbia National Bank in 1946, many believed that a key reason for the acquisition was to get Baker, who was Columbia's top lending officer. He became American Security's executive vice president by 1949, president in 1959, and chairman in 1962. In 1974, two years after his retirement, he returned to the bank as chairman and CEO.

In his 26 years at the American Security and Trust Company the bank's assets increased from $139 million to more than $900 million. Its net profit in 1971, a year before he retired, exceeded $10.5 million, compared with $588,959 when he joined the bank as a vice president in 1946.

Bob Baker taught a generation of young bankers by example the principles of sound finance. A tough, conservative banker, he made quick decisions on loans but avoided fads. He questioned the trend among banks in the '60's and early 70's to be ever more expansion-minded and innovative. "They got into real estate investment trusts, decided they could operate forever on borrowed money through debt management, and increased their loan portfolios ... far beyond anything we had ever seen before," he said. "The prosperity didn't last long."

Baker's influence on Washington extended beyond banking. He was the first treasurer of the Kennedy Center and the first President of Downtown Progress. He served on community boards, advised presidents and congressmen on city affairs, and helped with the finances of the Washington Senators and the Washington Redskins.

When Baker died of a heart attack in 1976, some of his most eloquent eulogies came from some of his fiercest competitors. Said L.A. Jennings, president of Riggs National Bank, "His dedication to the economic health of the community will continue to stand as an example and an encouragement to others striving to build on his accomplishment."