AN AMERICAN HERO
“The Foremost Archaeologist of this Era”
--Steve Candullo
World Renowned Marine Antiquities Expert
THE #8 Archaeologist in Oxford University history
Dr. Robert H. Baer Ph.D/RPA (July 29, 1941 – September 29, 2024)
A world-renowned archaeologist: multiple decorated Vietnam veteran, Oxford-educated professor, acclaimed THE #8 Archaeologist in Oxford University history, award-winning author, and global explorer of Six Continents.
The Legacy Continues
His Legacy continues as Dr. Baer has been honored posthumously by the U.N. for a permanent Foundation and Memorial Foundation to be awarded annually to one boy and one girl aspiring to be the next budding Archaeologist- For the next generation—with a passion for the past to enlighten the present and empower the future.
Beginning September 2025 at the U.N. Joint Session of the General Assembly.
“They who acknowledge the past
Are victorious in the future.”
--Dr. Robert H. Baer Ph.D
U.N. Foundation & Scholarship Fund
To Make a Donation in Memoriam of Dr. Robert H. Baer - Click on the Square button below
You will be taken to Dr Jo Dee Baer's Square page where you will find a Donation Button
THANK YOU
Dr. Robert H. Baer and President Felix
Over 250 Professional Archaeology and Cultural Resource Investigations in both the underwater and in the terrestrial environments.
Dr. Robert H. Baer in Afghanistan
Member of the elite United States Army Human Terrain Team, focusing on South Asia and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan
“Be all the things you loved about the person who is no longer among us in this world—
Their TRUE Legacy.”
Dr. Robert H. Baer and Scuba
Certified SCUBA and mixed gas diver and an active member of the Oxford University Maritime Archaeology Research-Exploration Group
Dr. Robert H. Baer at Oxford
Doctoral Studies (DPhil) Professional Archaeology, University of Oxford, UK.
Dissertation published as: The Lost Monasteries of William Randolph Hearst.
Dr. Robert H. Baer and Karate
A Passion for the Past to Enlighten the Present and Empower the Future
PROFESSIONAL & WORK HISTORY
6 Decades, 2500+ Archeological, Cultural Resource Investigations
Dr. Baer’s career spanned over six decades, during which he completed more than 2500 archaeological and cultural resource investigations in both underwater and terrestrial environments.
Private Consultant, Senior Social Scientist, Senior Analyst
Private Consultant: Provided expertise in professional archaeology- both marine and terrain, cultural resource management, and historical archaeology and anthropology. A prolific creator of over 3000 archaeological pamphlets and monographs. The acclaimed book: “Texas Treasure” was the outgrowth of this work.
Senior Social Scientist: At BAE Systems, he became a member of the elite United States Army Human Terrain Team, focusing on South Asia and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and awarded the prestigious honor of Commandant in the Pakistani Police.
Senior Analyst: With the United States Army’s Foreign Military Studies Office at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, he authored and edited military histories, including “Passing It On: Fighting the Pashtun on Afghanistan’s Frontier” and a sequel, completed prior to his passing: “As Good as the Rest.”
Diplomat, Preservationist and Activist
DIPLOMAT
Diplomat: Envoy for the Department of Defense with “Operation Just Cause” in Panama with President Manuel Antonio Noriega.
PRESERVATIONIST AND ACTIVIST
Creation of Miami Circle, due to Dr. Baer’s relentless work, permanently recognized on the National Historical Register for the Seminole Indian Tribe.
Senior Police Trainer and Officer of the Pakistani Military Police
Adjunct Professor, Law Enforcement Officer, Military Service
Private Consultant, Senior Social Scientist, Senior Analyst
Senior Police Trainer and Officer of the Pakistani Military Police: Worked with the United States Department of Justice on the Afghan Frontier Opium Poppy Eradication Program, training the warring Kashi and Pashtun Tribes-acculturating them into society as tribal recruits in public safety and security operations through peaceful, psychological means.
Adjunct Professor: Taught Public Administration at Nova Southeastern University and courses in Underwater Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management at its Oceanography Center- Where he co-created an Oceanic Remote sonar and Sensing Device, and fostered the first remote distance learning college academic programs in the nation.
Law Enforcement Officer: Served in the Homicide - Organized Crime Division of the Dade County Public Safety Department from 1972 to 1977—The experience which translated into the Biographical Novel: “Movers and Shakers: The Big South Florida Novel.”
Military Service: Commissioned as an officer in the United States Army, with assignments in Asia and South Asia between 1968 and 1971, where he was award two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star for his exemplary valor and service.
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Born in Miami Beach, Florida, Dr. Baer pursued an extensive academic journey:
- Doctoral Studies (DPhil) in Professional Archaeology: University of Oxford, UK, focusing on Cultural Resource Management.
- His dissertation was published as The Lost Monasteries of William Randolph Hearst.
- Doctoral Studies (DPA) and Master’s Degree (MPA) in Public Administration: Nova Southeastern University, Florida, concentrating on Historic Preservation & Heritage Management
- Co-created the educational discipline of Distance Education
- Master of Studies (MST) in Professional Archaeology: University of Oxford, UK, with a thesis titled The Last Voyage of the San Miguel de Archangel, A Spanish Colonial Shipwreck in the Florida Coastal Zone.
- Master of Arts (MA) in Archaeology and Heritage Management: University of Leicester, UK, where he authored Anomaly 27: The Last Voyage of the S.S. Copenhagen.
- Master of Arts (MA) in Asian Studies: University of Miami, Florida.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History: University of Miami.
- Associate of Arts (AA) in Military Science: Georgia Military College.
PUBLISHED WORKS
Dr. Baer authored several influential books:
• Passing It On: Fighting the Pashtuns on Afghanistan’s Frontier (2010): This work was distributed to every combat arms officer in the United States Army.
• Anomaly 27: The Last Voyage of the S.S. Copenhagen (2010): Serves as the standard guide to the S.S. Copenhagen shipwreck site, a Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserve established in 1994.
• The Last Voyage of the San Miguel De Archangel (2011): Documents a twenty-year underwater archaeological investigation at Jupiter Inlet, Palm Beach County, Florida.
• The Lost Monasteries of William Randolph Hearst (2012): Recognized as a notable book by the Society of British Architectural Historians.
• A Hundred Giants: The French Huguenot Experience in Florida, 1562-1565 (2013): Details an archaeological investigation that located and documented the site of the Matanzas Massacre of 1565.
• Texas Treasure: Billy Kenon and the Padre Island Shipwrecks of 1554 (2019): Explores the history and recovery of shipwrecks off the Texas coast.
CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Dr. Baer - Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA)
Dr. Baer was a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) and held a level 9 Secret Security Clearance from the United States Department of Defense. He was a certified SCUBA and mixed gas diver and an active member of the Oxford University Maritime Archaeology Research-Exploration Group and the Oxford University Alumni Society.
Books in Preparation
As Good As The Rest: A British Battalion on the Afghan Frontier: 1937 – 1939. Projected for publication in 2020.
MAKE A DONATION in MEMORIAM of DR. ROBERT H. BAER
As an additional footnote, Dr. Baer was honored posthumously in New York City, NY, at the U.N. as a U.N. Ambassador of Peace. The U.N. has now earmarked Bob for a lasting memory in a permanent Foundation, Memorial, and Scholarship to be awarded annually to one boy and one girl aspiring to be the next budding Archaeologist- For the next generation—with a passion for the past to enlighten the present and empower the future. beginning September 2025, at the U.N. Joint General Assembly.
To Make a Donation in Memoriam of Dr. Robert H. Baer - Click on the Square button below
You will be taken to Dr Jo Dee Baer's Square page where you will find a Donation Button
THANK YOU
Dr. Robert H. Baer - Trailblazer for the Next Generation
Dr. Robert H. Baer’s contributions to archaeology, both terrestrial and underwater, have left an indelible mark on the field. As a trailblazer, his dedication to uncovering and preserving history serves as a lasting inspiration to future generations of archaeologists and historians.
Experience the Life of Dr. Robert H. Baer
To Experience more of the Life of Dr. Robert H. Baer: watch the Dr. Robert H. Baer, UN Video.
In conclusion, as a 76 time Best Selling Author and Publisher myself, but most importantly as Dr. Baer’s wife, I will bring his past works, but voluminous books awaiting publication, to life and thus fulfill this empowering quote:
“Be all the things you loved about the person who is no longer among us in this world—
Their TRUE Legacy.”
A Poem for Dr. Robert H. Baer
Dr. Robert H. Baer
Bob Baer was quite the man
You rarely saw him without a tan!
He loved his work and the treasures of the sea,
But most of all he loved his “Miss Jo Dee”
He was humble and kind
And known to sleep in his car
His favorite highway stop was the
‘WA WA’ by far!
He sifted sand, dived into the deep,
Found shipwrecks that were buried for history to keep
Bob was the perfect combination of suave & debonaire
A modern day “Indiana Jones & James Bond” rolled into one-
He had all the flair
A funny memory on a visit to their house
Was almost Christmas, but that was not a mouse!
Late in the night, while preparing for an event
Jo Dee and I had so much to do- the stress was felt,
But the next thing we knew, he was there--
Bob Baer comes sliding down the hall in his underwear!
The elephant blanket on like a cape,
Our superman had arrived not a moment to late!
He lightened the mood, distractions and laughs galore
Scenes of the movie Risky Business popped in my head-
Complete with Tom Cruise sliding across the floor
Bob Baer experienced so many adventures, adversities in foreign countries, that’s
true
When his life was threatened, he learned what to do!
Buy another rug, that would surely endure
And keep him safe hopefully his EXIT would not be postponed or be late!
We were all Blessed with his friendship, knowledge, and great folklore
The Books he wrote, the stories he shared were just a glimpse of his big World
And we were all glad to be there!
Love you always, Dr Bob Baer
(Miss Jo Dee)