Baird Allen Brock, community leader, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Central Missouri and former city council member and mayor of Warrensburg, Missouri, died at home on Saturday, July 18th , 2026. Kind, generous, adventurous, and brilliant, Baird was a life-long civic servant and educator, a musician, connoisseur, Bible scholar, and avid animal lover.

Baird received his Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas and taught economics at the University of Central Missouri for over 30 years. He taught in Russia and London, ventured to Israel and Africa and embraced the study of the impact of economic decisions on the welfare of communities. His committee work was too extensive to list here, but it reflects his dedication to service and the breadth of his interests. He was particularly proud of his work with the First United Methodist Church, Stephen Ministries, and WILS, as well as his time working directly with the City of Warrensburg. He had a dry, sometimes barbed, wit, and an eclectic personality noted by many that belied his otherwise orderly, mathematical and refined mind. He loved his animals and for years he could be seen walking three dogs on leashes while his three cats paraded along! He was able to make an adventure of traveling around Warrensburg in his truck, keeping up with people and places dear to him.

The memory of his family farm and their Tennessee Walking horses, the movement of the trees in the wind, the politics of the day, the love of friends and family, and the words of God sustained him as his body failed. He was a warrior on many fronts.

Born in Clinton, Missouri, on April 3, 1942, to Barkley Marion Brock and Emma Katherine Shadwell Brock and preceded in death by his younger brother Craig, Baird is survived by his wife of 28 years, Rose Marie Kinder, his sister Kristene Brock, niece Hattie Wirsig, her husband Miles Wirsig and their children Max, Hannah, and Hayden.

A visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church in Warrensburg, Missouri, with a celebration of life to follow.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or the World Wildlife Fund and may be left in care of the funeral home.