BAR HARBOR, Maine — Acadia National Park officials are investigating the death of a local elderly man who was found lying in a marshy area along a trail in the park on Wednesday afternoon. Rangers said the death is not suspicious.
John Baer, 85, of Bar Harbor was walking his dog on the park trail that runs along Schooner Head Road sometime around 3 p.m. when his wife became concerned because he had not returned.
At around 4 p.m., 911 dispatchers received a call from joggers who had discovered Baer lying face-down near a bridge that goes over a brook outlet and marsh, said Richard Rechholtz, Acadia’s supervisory park ranger. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.
“We believe he fell somehow,” said Rechholtz, who added that the dog was still in the area when Baer was discovered. “There is no suspicion of foul play.”
Acadia officials are investigating the death because the incident happened on park land.
Baer’s body was being taken on Thursday to the state medical examiner’s office in Augusta for examination.
This is such a sad story….
So sorry for his widow – definitely sending my condolences. What a good dog, to stay by his owner until the body was found – a “man’s best friend” type of dog for sure.
John will be missed…..AND he was a great pilot!
Yup, John was a good guy. There wasn’t a test hard enough to measure his intelligence.
John started and ran Rainwise in Bar Harbor. He was ahead of his time. I also watched him “deadstick” land a twin engine prop-jet Aerostar at Bar Harbor airport. He picked up some bad fuel in New York and managed to limp the plane to Bar Harbor and land it just after the engines quit. I’ll never forget that.
As sad as this gentlemens passing is to his family and friends, I hope that when my time arrives it will be somewhere as beautiful as Mr. Baer was when his moment came. He did not die alone, but with his dog, who was surely his best pal.
Agreed, but I do wonder how frightening it must have been for his little 4-legged friend. Hope someone got the dog back to his home.
What a sad story. He died at a lovely location and with his dog.
Knowing the park processes though they probably scrambled 18 people to the rescue and a helicopter from Boston.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Condolences to the family of this man. It seems sad, but the truth is, after watch so many of my relatives lying in beds or in a nursing home or hospital at the end of their lives, one can only hope to “go out” of the world this way. At 85, taking a humble stroll in a beautiful place with your friend (dog) by your side. RIP.
Condolences to the widow Mr. Baer. He died with his second best friend with him so he wasn’t alone.