One of our goals as parents has been to raise kids we enjoy hanging out with as adults. Once they are off to college, our ability to influence their decisions and behaviors becomes very limited so we do our best before that to create people that we like to be around.

One of those times of hanging around Nate was Dad’s weekend for Fiji.  I think many dads look forward to this weekend (and this year mom’s weekend was a massive hit!) Me and several other dads travelled down to Columbia from Richmond and stayed at the Woodrow house.  Many dads came from all over the country to be there. It’s worth the trip.

We had bar rental Friday night, brunch cookout at Waccamaw Saturday late morning, golf Saturday afternoon (one year we did a Baseball game) and a night out together just relaxing on Saturday night.

Golf was a spectacular day and we had a ridiculous amount of fun in our foursome - Ryan and Chris Darby is who we were paired up with and we acted like complete idiots. We were like a roving SNL skit and laughed so hard.

I have done this twice with Nate and you couldn’t pay me enough to miss one after all the memories they create. Last year, before going out Saturday night, we hung out at a house and played games, told stories and again - acted like complete idiots.  Nate, Ryan Darby, Max D'avella, Andrew Sanson and Ryan's dad, Chris Darby had THE BEST time. We smoked a celebratory cigar in their garage and that time together with Nate and a small group of his Fiji brothers made Chris Darby and I laugh so hard our stomachs hurt.

Thank you Fiji brothers for all the fun, memories and giving Nate (and his dad!) a wonderful group of men to make memories with!

Throughout the past two weeks I have replayed the countless memories that Nate and I had together. The one that always has stuck out to me came in January 2024. This came after I had been infatuated with a girl for a few months and we had parted ways (not my idea) a few days prior. I was crushed. 

My roommates convinced me to go to our fraternity's bar rental at Saloon in Five Points that Friday night and I begrudgingly attended. Needless to say, I was not myself and was quiet and distant from most of my closest friends. It did not take long but when I went to the bathroom that night I found myself being followed by Nate. 

He pulled me to the side and told me something along the lines of " I don't know whats going on and I don't need to. You don't seem like yourself right now. Just know that I am here for you if you ever need anything." Although I did not take him up on that offer, I will never forget those words. That was the type of person Nate Baker was, that is the type of person I strive to be for the rest of my life.

I mentioned in another story about the “Dog Truck” that Nate worked at in Scott’s Addition here in Richmond, VA in high school.

Nate had a co-worker he met there.  The guy had grown up with a different background than Nate - not nearly as fortunate. He had also made some bad decisions and he was trying to get his life back in order. Nate knew his background.  Not sure if that’s because the guy shared it with everyone or if Nate took interest and asked him about it. The gist of it was, he was a someone that your average person might be a little hesitant to get to know or to befriend.

Not our Nate.  Nate would talk about him occasionally and share some things the guy said or stories from him at the Dog Truck that Nate found hilarious (if Nate found it funny, we found it funny because Nate would relay stories in a way that made everyone laugh). The man rode a moped to work - it was his only mode of transportation.

One day, the guy didn’t show up for work. His moped wasn’t working. If you have read my other stories, you know how this goes. A co-worker having issues and not able to get to work due to his moped not working? Nate would have none of that.

I don’t know if Nate went to him or if the guy somehow got his moped to the Dog Truck, but I do know that Nate fixed his moped for him. As I think about it now, it’s crazy that he did things like this often enough that it wasn’t “special” to us. (If one of the Dog Truck boys is reading this and knows, feel free to comment and set the record straight and/or share more details.)

Did Nate charge him anything? I don’t know  - but I have a guess.

Nate had a co-worker in need. He didn’t think about what he would get out of helping. He didn’t think about what it might cost him. He just helped.

I love you Nate Baker!

Our hearts are slowly mending as we learn more and more about Nate through everyone he touched. We knew he was special but have come to understand so much more about who he truly was as a young man. Here is an article about Nate that was shared in Columbia’s The State newspaper. It’s beautifully written. 

https://www.thestate.com/news…">https://www.thestate.com/news…

I’m so appreciative of Dan’s stories being shared here.

We love you all~ Leslie

This comes from a fraternity brother of mine. I sincerely appreciate the notes and stories from all of you!

Dan, hey this is Steve Davis. I can’t imagine what your family has had to endure the last 10 days, so I wanted to wait to extend my condolences. After last night though I felt today made sense. The picture attached is my youngest son with the head coach of the Gamecock club lacrosse team. Last night we traveled back up to Columbia to watch them play Clemson in the inaugural Palmetto Bowl between the schools. Before the game though he brought both teams over to the fans side of the field. He proceeded to tell all of us (150-200 fans) about the tragic incident that had occurred and how much Nate meant to so many on his team. He said a short prayer, then proceeded to whip Clemson 20-8. I spoke with him briefly after the game to just extend my thanks for what he had said and done. That meant so much to me, just knowing you and so I just wanted you and Leslie to know about this random act I was lucky enough to witness. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers and will remain! In Hoc, Davis

Thank you Steve Davis and the Gamecock community!

We love and miss you Nate Baker!

Nate was always so kind to Luke every time we came over. Nate was always game when Luke pulled out a board game that I’m sure he hadn’t played or thought about in years. Luke believed he was the master at “Guess Who” and “Banana Blast” - never realizing that Nate and Emily Grace were encouraging him and oftentimes (but not always) letting him win!

There was one Easter when we came over and Nate specifically directed Luke to all the Easter eggs that had coins in them. “Mama, did you know that the Easter Bunny that comes to the Baker’s house gives them money?!”

Nate, no matter how busy you were, when you were home, you always came down to say hello. Thank you for blessing us with your time and for always demonstrating kindness. You will be missed.

Today I want to share an email one of Nate’s former co-workers/teammshared. Some context is that Nate used to work for David Duke at Potbelly’s.  He also owned the “Dog Truck” which was a hot dog stand right next to the Potbelly’s in Scotts Addition. There is another story I will write about from the Dog Truck but here is an email Leslie received:

Hey, I don't know if you remember much of me, but I heard about the passing of nate recently.

I always remember being around nate, but it wasn't till middle/high school when I got to know him better. That phase wasn't my best but I remember nate was always kind to me and always made me feel liked and included when I otherwise wouldn't have. I used to sit next to him in science class and the teacher would always try to make us move seats.

He helped me get a job at potbellys for a bit and I remember we used to get tips and every once in a while he would share his tips with the homeless people downtown on the way home.

Volleyball season was always a good time, that group of guys were really funny, and nate was definitely a big part of that team culture.

I didn't spend as much time with nate as I would have wished to, but he was always a good friend to me and I will always remember those memories.

Nate will be missed, I am praying for you guys and his friends.

Thanks for sending that note to us!  The prayers and stories are lifting us up and reminding us that Nate’s love was deep.  Nate used to always say “It’s not that deep.” However, his love was very deep.  Very deep indeed.

I love you Nate Baker!  Miss you bud. 

My deepest sympathies, and condolences. I cared very deeply for Nate. I am the old guy he worked with day to day during his internship a couple summers ago. I have been coaching and mentoring young men for about 30 years. I have had quite a few summer interns and helpers in my 10 years here. Occasionally, a special person comes along, a young person I am trying to be helpful to, but they surprise me with how much impact they have in my life. Nate is one of those young men. Nate and his crew were extremely helpful to me, Nate brightened up the building and warehouse all summer. It’s tradition for me to close out the summer by taking the boys out for lunch before they return to school, Nate and crew are the first ones to bring me a thank you gift. They caught me off guard, I was touched. I still get the occasional message from that summer group letting me know how they are doing. Grateful is only one simple part of how I feel to have gotten to know Nate and spend the summer working with him. Nate made a big impact in his time with us, he will be missed dearly. I will keep you all in my prayers. I’m so very sorry for your loss.

Joe Calveric

Devastating.  Life is such a gamble, but worth it all. He was a super person, bright spirit.

He will be missed.

Best regards Doug

My last experience I had with Nate are incredible memories!

 I was talking to Nate a few weeks before his spring break this year. He had decided not to go to Barcelona with a rather large group of his Fiji brothers. Instead, he asked me “Dad, can we do something like that cool motorcyle thing you talked about my senior year?” (I had offered a 5 day adventure bike ride from a town out west that had campfires and bands every night when you returned. Each day you got to choose a route to ride with a mix of on and off road riding. He had passed it up and opted to go to beach week at that time.).

“I am on it Nate!!” Is all I think I said to him. I was thrilled he wanted to do something fun with me!

I immediately began searching and calling places out west. We were only 2.5 weeks out from spring break and I kept finding things were full. Everything was booked up. I was getting discouraged.

My last ditch was I called one of the places out there (that was full) and asked if they knew of anywhere I could just rent adventure motorcycles and plan our own route/adventure. I was looking to find anything to do out there with Nate! They suggested I try Doug McDonald. “He has been doing it for many years and he is a quality guy.” Was their quote. (One of the ones I passed up was a “dirt bike” camp. I had envisioned on and off road. As it turns out, Doug owned and ran the dirt bike camp.)

I called Doug. He seemed like just our type of people on the phone and he happened to have 2 days open back to back - March 14/15. I immediately reserved them.

When I told my brother, Steve, about it a couple days later, he asked if he could come with us (he has also been a life long rider and been on other adventures with us). After checking with Doug (there was room!) and with Nate (“Hell Yeah!” Was Nates response to Steve coming), we were set!

We talked about the trip about 50 times before we even left. To say that we were excited is an understatement. Nate texted me leading into break:

“I can barely focus in these classes I’m too excited for break”

“I am getting antsy for this trip!”

The trip was EPIC. Spectacular riding weather, quality equipment, scenery was amazing and Doug was an outstanding guide. We were talking about going back again (but also talking about the other fun adventures we wanted to do). Steve and his wife may be going back out as she rides and was jealous as she heard about the trip and saw pictures.

While on the trip, Nate, Steve and I discussed how experiences are like life investments in that the memories are like dividends that keep paying you back. Every time we will get together, we will talk about that trip and smile and feel joy due to the fun we had.

We flew back on the red eye overnight Saturday into Sunday and within an hour of getting home, Nate left to go back to “the promised land” of USC to beat a terrible storm coming. He had classes on Monday.

We knew it was a good investment while we were in AZ. Steve and I didn’t realize at the time that would be the best investment of our lives with Nate.

Thank you God for that wonderful trip with Nate and Steve!

Also thank you to Doug McDonald. We had a spectacular time and Steve and Sam may be back out there to see you! https://arizonadirtbikerental…

Hair.  Nate’s hair could write its own story. Let me tell you how it all started…

The photo tells a lot of the story. Leslie went on a weekend girls trip.   Leslie didn’t go on girls trips for many years.  It took me a while to convince her it was ok to go on a trip without the rest of the family.  Her mom guilt of “leaving us” was hard to turn off. 

Well, when she went on this trip, Nate and I gave her a different reason.

Nate needed a haircut. He really needed one. His hair was a mop.  Back then it wasn’t all curly - he didn’t have the full flow going yet.

Nate wanted a haircut.  He didn’t like the mop on his head that he had.

What haircut did Nate want?  He wanted a Mohawk. You know, bald on the sides with a strip of hair right down the middle. (For those snow skiers out there - think Glen Plake. I may or may not have shown him some videos of Glen Plake at the time…)

Leslie did not want Nate to have a Mohawk.  She had rejected the idea and refused to let him get one.

HOWEVER, Leslie wasn’t around and Nate wanted a Mohawk. As he BEGGED me for a Mohawk, I sat with my thoughts like two fighters coming into the ring.

I could almost hear the announcer: “In the red corner, we have a kid who is ~10 with an adventurous attitude pleading for a Mohawk. He has shaggy hair and needs a haircut AND the hair will grow back.

In the white corner, we have a husband who loves his wife and wants to fulfill her wishes for a normal haircut and doesn’t want to deal with an angry and upset Leslie and who values his marriage and life.”

The clippers stared at me from the counter. Nate pleaded with me, begged me even. Nate insisted he wouldn’t regret it for a second.

Decision made. Compromise - we won’t go bald on the sides. 

Click. Buzzzzzzzzz.  

So began Nate’s “hair journey” (it may become its own documentary).

Regret? Take a look at that face! 

Zero regret.  That is how Nate lived.