Albert V. Baez, noted environmentalist, dies

Baez, who spent 25 years in Marin County, died early Tuesday at an elder care facility, according to the San Mateo County Coroner’s Office.

"In all aspects of his life, he combined personal and professional roles as scientist, environmentalist, teacher and humanitarian. In doing so, he nurtured and conveyed values representing mankind at its best,” the Baez family said in a statement.

Born in Puebla, Mexico, and reared in Brooklyn, New York, Baez was a distinguished academic with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Drew University, a master’s in math from Syracuse University and a doctorate in physics from Stanford University. He taught physics at several universities, including Stanford.

In 1951, he worked for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, moving with his family to Iraq, where he directed the UNESCO mission there and worked as a professor of physics at Baghdad University.

A Quaker, Baez was an active supporter of Bread & Roses, the Corte Madera-based nonprofit that brings free live entertainment to hospitals, youth facilities, prisons and other institutions. The group was founded by his daughter Mimi Farina, who died of cancer in 2001.

Along with Joan Baez, who is currently performing in Europe, he is survived by his wife, Joan Bridge Baez, of Woodside; a daughter, Pauline Bryan of Carmel Valley; grandsons Gabriel Harris of Fairfax and Nick Marden of New York City; granddaughter Pearl Bryan of Big Sur; and great-granddaughter Jasmine Harris of Fairfax.

A Quaker memorial celebration was planned for May.