Dr. Richard Franklin Baske

Dr. Richard Franklin Baske passed away on July 21, 2025, at the age of 84. He was the husband of Janneke Baske, father to Warren (Ernie) Baske (married to Julia Erlbaum) and Andrea Baske Sullivan (married to Daniel Sullivan), and grandfather to Aidan and Maxwell Sullivan and Madeline Baske.

Rich was born in Flint, Michigan, where he met his wife Janneke in the high school marching band — both played the clarinet and would continue to celebrate music throughout their lives. He went on to attend the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, marrying Janneke in 1963. Janneke supported Rich through medical school, where he became an ophthalmologist. Together, they spent two years living and working on the Fort Belknap Native American Reservation in Montana, where their son Warren was born.

A man of deep intellect and wide-ranging passions, Richard lived a life defined by curiosity, discipline, and a quiet joy in the natural world. He was a lifelong athlete, often found biking long distances, gliding across snowy trails on cross-country skis, or rowing competitively as part of a local crew team. His athleticism was not about accolades, but about presence — and he has passed on many of his passions to his kids and grandchildren too.

Rich was a gifted photographer, with a sharp eye for composition — seeing things others didn't. He developed his own photos in a darkroom he built himself, celebrating what he’d seen on many of his trips in nature or just out in the world. He was also an exceptionally gifted origami folder, bringing paper to life with patience, precision, and an engineer-meets-artist’s eye for detail.

Philanthropy was also a big part of Rich’s life. He led six trips to the Philippines Rural Free Eye Clinic to donate his surgical expertise and medical supplies to conduct radial keratotomy surgeries for blind patients who were able to see once again. He also volunteered regularly for Madison’s Olbrich Botanical Gardens and the Wisconsin Ice Age Trail.

Richard approached his work, his family, and his community with integrity and a deep sense of purpose. He will be remembered not only for his accomplishments, but for his character — steady, gentle, goofy and quietly wise.

A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to causes he cared deeply about including American Indian College Fund, Save the Children, Doctors without Borders.