Kenneth Frank Baker (June 3, 1908–April 16, 1996) was an American phytopathologist (plant disease researcher).
Following a three-year period in Hawaii researching pineapple pathogens, he accepted a position at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he remained for twenty-one years.
The summer before his senior year, he worked in Elma, Washington, at a plant nursery and greenhouse.
While a PhD student, he spent his summers as a laboratory assistant at the university and then with the USFS at Clearwater National Forest controlling for the rust fungus.
After finishing his PhD, his first job was at the USDA Bureau of Plant Industry where he searched for evidence of Cenangium fungal infections in ponderosa pines.
He then completed a post-doctoral research appointment at the University of Wisconsin with Benjamin Minge Duggar.
His next position saw his return to the USDA Bureau of Plant Industry where he worked to address diseases affecting windbreak trees in Nebraska, specifically root diseases and soilborne pathogens, including damping off.