Biography of Col. Alfred Baker
Captain Al Baker in the field in Field in Viet Nam Dec 67
The Los Angeles Times Magazine, called Al Baker “a kind of mystic, altruistic American GI”. Others, who served with him in the Army, saw him as a cigar-chopping, tough-talking infantryman who could “follow a bull through a china shop and still do a lot of damage.” The retired Colonel who was the reported model for the renegade, Col. Kurtz in Apocalypse Now, now resides in Harrisburg and the two sides to his personae are as evident as ever.
He is the benevolent president of a nonprofit agency that helps disabled Pennsylvanians add dignity to their lives. He is also the owner of RAE’s Tobacco, an upscale cigar store in Strawberry Square decorated with mementos of his earlier life.. While the two parts of his life may seem diverse, diversity is nothing new for this proven combat veteran who was noted for his peacekeeping efforts.
Among his souvenirs are citations from the Department of State and from the Central Intelligence Agency, a vast array of military decorations, medals awarded by Germany, Lebanon and Viet Nam and a plethora of photos with the rich and famous. The LA Times quoted the Department of Defense listing Baker as one of the most decorated officers in the Army.
To the question, “How did you end up in Harrisburg?” the lanky Colonel offers two reasons. One is Mayor Steve Reed who made Baker an Honorary Citizen before he moved here. “I saw the amazing turn around that Harrisburg was making and I wanted to be part of it. There may be other cities that are as dynamic, I just haven’t found them.”
There is another reason also. His daughter and grand-babies live in Harrisburg. And the old war horse is happy with the choice.
“We found and rebuilt an old cabin that was built in 1870 with a bit a woods around it. Yet we are less than five miles from my office on Front Street.”
The cabin is a haven, with acres of woods for walking, wildlife to study, babbling brooks and waterfalls to please the senses. But the Baker’s have little time to enjoy it. His job as President and CEO of PIBH keeps him busy, while his wife of many years operates the cigar store.
On weekends, when he is in town, and often after work “the Colonel” as so many call him is in his shop in Strawberry Square, serving customers and doing chores that every shop keeper must do. “I didn’t intend to be in the cigar business to this extent,” the old colonel claims. “I started as a silent partner and somehow ended up with the whole damn thing.”
Now market share drives him. He guarantees the lowest prices in town on any cigar that he carries and offers the largest selection around with about 2000 boxes open at any time. The pleasant place has attracted more customers each month putting him far ahead of schedule.
If “the Colonel” is passionate about cigars, he is no less about his “real” job. PIBH is the marketing arm for rehabilitation centers throughout Pennsylvania. Home