John Willis Baer

Dr. John Willis Baer (March 2, 1861 in Rochester, Minnesota[1]– February 8, 1931 in Pasadena, California)[2] was an official of the Presbyterian Church and a president of Occidental College.

[4] During his presidency, the college moved to Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, hosted President William Howard Taft, severed ties with the Presbyterian Church, and attempted, but failed, to convert into an all-men's institution.

[5][6][7] Baer resigned the presidency on November 1, 1916, due to exhaustion and the failure of a capital campaign to meet expectations.

[8] In 1919 was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.

[9] Following his tenure as President of Occidental, Baer became a Vice-President of Security Pacific National Bank[2] In 1931, he died of a heart attack in his cottage at the Huntington Hotel.