Jon Baldock
December 03, 1945 - December 30, 2023
Obituary
OREGON - Jon O. Baldock passed away peacefully at home at the age of 78 on Dec. 30, 2023. He was born on Dec. 3, 1945, in Janesville.
Jon received a B.A. at Luther College where he met Dee, who conspired with a professor to be assigned as his lab partner in invertebrate zoology. They were married in their senior year, the day before the Ice Bowl, a game they watched from the TV lounge of Ylvisaker Hall on the first day of their honeymoon. Jon went on to receive a Ph.D. in Agronomy from Cornell University. During his time at Cornell he was drafted and served as a lieutenant in the Navy's Aerospace Physiology program from 1971 to 1974.
At his core, Jon was always a farmer and a statistician, vocations he passionately pursued throughout his life. He became an Assistant Professor of Agronomy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1976. And in 1978 he founded his own business in agricultural research and statistical analysis. He continued to farm, to research, and to study statistics throughout his life.
He is survived by his wife, Dee Baldock; and his children, Brandon (and Jen) Baldock and Kirsten Baldock (and James Sime); and his grandchildren, Maggie, Ella, Owen, and Augie Baldock. He is also survived by two brothers, Art (and Sue) Baldock of Janesville, Wis., and Dave Baldock of Belle Fontaine, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, Verne and Ruby Baldock.
Jon enjoyed cross-country skiing, tennis, bridge, attending Packers and Brewers games, photography, gardening, and supporting his grandchildren in their various endeavors.
Jon was generous with his time, knowledge, and produce from his garden. He tutored math students at Memorial High School and volunteered his time (and often potatoes) at the Badger Prairie Needs Network.
The Baldock family invites you to join in commemorating Jon's life on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, between 3 and 5 PM at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg. A subsequent funeral service will be held on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, at 11 AM at ST. JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH, 427 S. Main St., Verona. A visitation will be held at the church from 10 AM until the time of the service on Friday.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Agrace Foundation, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711 or the UW Carbone Cancer Center (wiscmedicine.org).
Jon Baldock lived a life as rich and fruitful as the fields he cherished. His legacy is one of boundless curiosity, generosity, and a love for the earth that sustained him.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(608) 442-5002