Sam William Baar Jr., 79, of Tempe, Arizona, died May 22, 2026, after complications related to West Nile virus. He passed surrounded by family. Born March 21, 1947, in Phoenix, he spent his life in the state he loved, combining a professional career in manufacturing with a deep and sustained commitment to historical preservation and archaeological volunteering.
The youngest of two children of Sam Baar and Ruth Towell, Mr. Baar grew up in the Phoenix area and later graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in accounting. His academic training served as a foundation for a professional life that included business ownership and executive leadership, but those who knew him said his appetite for knowledge reached far beyond ledgers and balance sheets. A self-described explorer and voracious reader, he cultivated wide-ranging interests that informed his civic work and personal pursuits.
Friends and colleagues recalled that Baar loved travel — particularly to Mexico — and had a broad appreciation for art, music and theatre. He encouraged curiosity in others and was often sought out for conversations on diverse topics because of the depth of his reading and the breadth of his knowledge. Those characteristics shaped his volunteer work and his approach to community engagement over many decades.
His commitment to preserving the region’s past led him to found the Southwest Archaeology Team (SWAT), a volunteer organization focused on archaeological stabilization and education. He served as SWAT president from 1986 until 1996, and participated in projects across southern Arizona. Among his civic contributions was work on the renovation team that restored the Sirrine House in Mesa, for which he received the Pride of Mesa Award. He also took part in stabilization efforts at historic missions including Tumacácori and Calabasas, and assisted with preservation work at prehistoric sites around the state.
Baar won multiple awards recognizing his dedication to public history and archaeological outreach. He produced a documentary titled “Who’s Minding the Past?” that earned a Telly Award in 1996 and the Videographer Award of Excellence in 1997. For much of his life he worked with the Arizona Archaeological Society; he edited the society’s newsletter, The Petroglyph, and later hosted and taught at monthly meetings. Associates said he had a gift for “Making History come alive!” through storytelling and hands-on instruction.
Professionally, Baar spent his career in the glass-to-metal seal and semiconductor sectors. He was president and majority shareholder of Platronics Seals in Tempe from 2000 until 2023 and was widely respected within the industry for his knowledge and long-term engagement. He also founded Arizona Plating and the Miners Rock Shop, both in Tempe, enterprises that reflected his technical expertise and personal interests.
Photograph of an older couple embracing under string lights — image used with the obituary notice for Sam William Baar Jr.
Mr. Baar was married to his high school sweetheart, Connie Baar; the couple celebrated 60 years together. He is survived by Connie and their three children: daughter Bridgette Argue and her husband Gary Argue; son Sam Baar IV and his wife Sonny Baar; and daughter Amy Alcazar and her husband Victor Alcazar. His survivors also include eight grandchildren: Alexandria Argue, Nikolai Argue, Emily Alcazar, Isabel Alcazar, Katie Alcazar, G.G. Scott, Sam Baar V and Alessandro Scott. Family members described him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend who would do anything for those he loved.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Sunday, June 21, 2026, at the S’edav Va’aki Museum (formerly the Pueblo Grande Museum), 4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034, from 1 to 4 p.m. The family has invited members of the community, colleagues from historical and archaeological circles, and friends from his business life to attend and remember his work and life. Posted online June 1, 2026.