Sidney Irving Baer, 68, of Memphis died at St. Francis Hospital on May 26th. He was born in Memphis but raised in Turrell, Arkansas. He attended Turrell High School, Arkansas State, and then Memphis State University. He then went on to sell insurance with New York Life and later, Met Life. Sid played college baseball and even tried out for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was also committed to umpiring tennis. He umpired at the US Open in New York for many years as well as the National Indoor Tournament in Memphis. He umpired at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles as well.Sid enjoyed volunteering as a reading tutor in one of the local city schools. He took great pride in the accomplishments of his young students as he had also done for a number of years at Temple Israel's Religious School. Sidney was the devoted husband to Mary Stone Baer and devoted father to Jennifer Baer Lotsoff. Jennifer's husband, Dr. David Lotsoff and their children, Moriah and Micah, also survive him. Sid's parents are Herman Baer of blessed memory and his mother, Maxine Baer. He also leaves his brothers Ronnie and Rick Baer and their wives Sandy and Sally as well as their children. Sid leaves brothers in law and sisters in law, Roger and Judith Stone and Gerald and Donna Stone and their children. He also leaves his former wife to whom he was married for 35 years, Arlene Baer, and with whom he raised Jennifer. Because Sidney felt tremendous connection and comfort at Anshei Sphard Beth El Emeth Synagogue, the family requests that donations be sent there, to the Jewish Community Center, or to the charity of the donor's choice. The funeral was held on May 26, 2009 at Anshei Sphard Cemetery. Canale Funeral Directors (Published in The Commercial Appeal on 5/28/2009)