Gretta Scott Baur, age 92, passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of August 14, 2013 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born Gretta LaVerne Scott on August 6, 1921 to Wilson Howard Scott and Alice Elizabeth Ayres Scott in McDonald, Pennsylvania (PA). She grew up on a dairy farm and began milking cows at an early age. All twelve of her primary and secondary years in school were at Hickory High School in Hickory, PA. She attended the University of Pittsburgh from 1939 to 1943 graduating with a BS degree in physics. During the remaining years of WWII, Gretta utilized her specialized skills in X-Ray technology in a Pittsburgh steel plant doing quality assurance on Sherman Tank turrets. Later she worked in research at Hall Laboratories in Pittsburgh.
On August 14, 1948, Gretta married John Phillip Baur in McDonald, PA. They were married fifty-nine years. In 1951, John, also a physicist, accepted employment in Salt Lake City, Utah as a Physical Metallurgist. Gretta soon joined him in SLC. She worked a forty-four year career as a researcher in the field of X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence analysis with the US Bureau of Mines. In 1994, she was recognized by the Secretary of the Interior for Meritorious Service. In 1953, John and Gretta joined Wasatch Presbyterian Church. They were committed life-long contributors to the life and ministry of Wasatch. Gretta taught Sunday school, worked with youth, ushered, and served as a Ruling Elder. She and John made major and enduring gifts to the music ministry program. They enjoyed many years in the Shipmate Mariners. She was a member of Presbyterian women and an honorary member of Presbyterian Men of Wasatch. Gretta was a prolific reader as the piles of books surrounding her couch attested. She and John dearly loved their home of nearly 50 years at 3585 Jupiter Drive in Salt Lake City. She loved to travel with the highlight being two trips in 1996 and 2000 to support a Christian School in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Gretta's life-long passion was her commitment and service to the rights and betterment of women. She was a 60 year member of Business and Professional Women (BPW). She also served many years as a member and officer of Federal Women, the Women's State Legislative Council, Salt Lake Council of Women, Zonta International, Parliamentarians, the Gateway Chapter of Utah Business Women (UBW), and the Underground Chapter of BPW.
Gretta is survived by her nephew Robert (Howdy) Scott and his wife Marie, her niece Marcia Scott Kelly, and her husband John, four great nieces, one great nephew, and seven great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband John, her parents, her brother Donald Howard Scott, and his wife Dolores Schroth Scott.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at Wasatch Presbyterian Church, 1626 South 1700 East, SLC UT. A luncheon reception for friends and family will be held following the service. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service.
Howdy and Marie and Marcia and John express their sincere and heartfelt thanks to the staff of Highland Cove Retirement Community for their friendship, compassion, and loving care of Gretta during her years there. Memorial gifts can be designated and given to the Gretta Baur Memorial Fund at Wasatch Presbyterian Church.
