Californian swept to sea recalled for good works

The San Francisco man swept into the ocean by a rogue wave off of Kalihi­wai Bay on Kauai had an innate gift of connecting with children with special needs through music.

Brian Baker will be remembered for his vibrant smile, generosity and music therapy work, say those who knew him.

Baker, 47, drowned Jan. 18. He had been hiking with four friends along a remote, rocky area. Adam Griffiths, 46, attempted to rescue Baker but was also swept into the ocean.

The Kauai Fire Department recovered Griffiths’ body the next day. On Jan. 22 the department suspended its search for Baker.

Originally from Traverse City, Mich., Baker worked as a board-certified therapist in San Francisco. On his website he referred to himself as a "‘guitar-ssionist,’ a percussionist on the guitar."

Baker worked twice a week for 17 years with Sam Simpson, who has cerebral palsy, and the two developed quite a bond, said Sam’s mother, Kathryn Simpson.

The therapy started when Sam was 9 and provided an avenue for him to express his emotions, his mom said in a telephone interview from San Francisco.

Baker also taught Kathryn Simpson’s daughter, Maya, to play the guitar.

"He became part of our family," she said. "I made him aware that he had a powerful impact on the well-being of my kids and how they turned out great."

Simpson said her son suffered a near-fatal fall in 2009, fracturing his jaw.

Baker spent two hours with Simpson in intensive care, playing guitar and singing some of Sam’s favorite songs, which helped reduce his high heart rate and blood pressure, Simpson said.

She learned of Baker’s fate while reading an article on her iPad that included a photo of Baker. "I nearly fainted," she recalled. "I was just so taken aback by it. I was just so shocked."

She added, "There are big tears coming out of California, and Michigan as well."

Baker’s ex-wife, Nanette Nichols, said he always wanted the best for people.

"He always had a smile on his face and had a loving spirit," she said. Though their five-year marriage ended in 2010, she and Baker remained good friends, Nichols said.

Nichols said she was at home when she received a call from a mutual friend about Baker. She held out hope that he had managed to get out of the surf because he was in good shape and didn’t drink or smoke.

"I maintained in my heart that he was clinging to a rock somewhere," said Nichols, who last saw him on New Year’s Eve.

Baker often traveled to Hawaii for vacation and had attended the University of Hawaii, she said.