Curtis James Baird

Dr. Curtis James Baird, 81, of Mount Airy, died September 5, 2025, at Silverado Dementia Care in Frederick, MD, while under the recent care of hospice. He was the beloved husband of Carole Cleveland Flanigan.

Born May 2, 1944, in Takoma Park, MD, he was the son of the late Curtis and Mary Elizabeth (Rathbun) Baird.

Dr. Baird, a 4th generation Seventh-day Adventist, attended Takoma Park Academy and Columbia Union College (CUC), now Washington Adventist University. He received his PhD from the University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana, majoring in Chemistry/Biology.

Dr. Baird began his career as a college professor, teaching the sciences at CUC and then at Loma Linda University in California. Later in life he decided to pursue a medical degree. He worked as a doctor for a few years and decided to go back to his first love, teaching, since it involved interaction with young people. He also enjoyed presenting power points about nature and animals to the children at his home church, South Carroll Seventh-day Adventist Church. Even the adults hung on every word. (Do you know what a pangolin is?!) In order to give the children a hands-on experience, he bought stuffed replicas, which were later donated to the church (for Noah’s Ark). He loved walking daily in our neighborhood and taking pictures of plants, animals and nature in general.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons, Stephen Baird of California and Joseph Baird of Texas; two step-sons Michael Shriner of Hagerstown and Matthew Shriner of Clear Spring; a grandson, Blake Baird of California; a niece, Jeanette Clifton, and children, William and Lillianna of Pottstown, Pa; a nephew, Alexander Nichols; and numerous cousins.

Curtis was preceded in death by his sisters, Maryanne Hyverinen and husband, Al, and Linda Nichols and husband, John.

A special thank you to all the staff at Silverado Dementia Care, who took such amazing care of Curtis.

A Celebration of Life will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Dr. Baird’s name to Frederick County Hospice or to a charity of one’s choice.