Nathan E. Lewis

It was my privilege and delight to know Ken Baldwin and count him among my friends. He graciously engaged me, interested/intrigued with my vocation as a Minister of the Gospel as much as I was interested/intrigued with his vocation as a bassist in the Oregon Symphony. I will never forget the first time I met Ken, working on his absolutely cool station wagon. I had dropped my son Everett at the home studio as he studied the piano under Ken’s wife, Jeanie, and Ken stopped me to introduce himself and to immediately express interest in my religious and theological beliefs. He desired to understand more about biblical texts and themes to enhance his understanding of much of the classical music he was playing and interpreting (since so much of it is founded upon biblical texts and written in the context of Christian faith and worship.) I must say that I have learned so much about gracious interaction from Ken. Most people purposely ignore my profession and faith. Those who broach this important part of my life usually do so to criticize negatively. And so I was surprised by Ken’s thoughtful respect and queries.
When Ken discovered the cancer within him, our relationship deepened. Once again, he graciously and with sincere interest asked questions of me concerning faith and life. He asked questions that betrayed both his ignorance of the Christian Scriptures and his keen mind able to grasp what must be central in them, namely the gospel as opposed to some moralistic system. Somehow he had an innate hunch that this was so.
Ken was equally intent upon garnering my help on his love and care for his family during his fight against cancer. I have seen many a man lose control and ability to express love and care for others in the midst of his personal pain and suffering - understandable to be sure. In the few times I saw Ken in critical pain and suffering, his mind often prompted him to ask after the welfare of Jeanie and his children. I observed him take great pains to articulate his concern for Jeanie in situations where others, dulled and shocked by their pain would be unable to do so. My conclusion is that his long standing practice of active love for his family was so ingrained in him that when he was attacked by cancer, he was able to continue what was most important to him in life and thus finish well.
Ken did finish well. A brief conversation with his dear wife, Jeanie, will uncover his devotion to her and the love they shared. Any encounter with his children will conclude that he was a fine father. Any remembrance of his playing his bass and teaching his students will expose a man who brilliantly used his skills and gifts beyond vanity.
The Oregon Symphony is not merely about the music; it’s about real people, our neighbors, playing the music. For many years to come, I will continue to file into the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall to hear beautifully moving music, but also to sense a hole in the bass section. The music has always made me cry but now my tears will be richer for the memory of a man who made the music rich.