Class of 1965, Decatur, Sept. 1, 2022
Karen and her husband, the late Dr. Neil Baird, also ’65, shared a lifelong love of teaching biology. Both biology majors at MU, they married in 1966. Each completed advanced degrees and taught biology for more than 30 years. Karen joined Decatur’s Richard Community College faculty the year of its founding in 1972 and retired from RCC as Professor Emeritus in 2006, shortly after Neil retired in 2005 with emeritus status after teaching biology at Millikin for 35 years. Karen also taught four years for St. Louis, Minn., public schools. During her career, Karen loved teaching a range of students — from recent high school graduates to adult students returning to advance their education.
