Allan S. Baker.
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Allan S. Baker, founder, president and owner of Korrect Optical, passed away Oct. 8 at age 86. Baker began his optical career in the early 1950s, selling glasses out of his uncle’s jewelry store. When licensing became mandatory in Kentucky he was one of the first to become certified. At the time of his passing, he was the oldest active licensed optician in the state (his license number was 27 and was issued on Oct. 20, 1954), according to his son, Steven, who has taken over as president and CEO of Korrect Optical.

From the late ’50s until the mid ’70s Baker owned and operated numerous optical companies in the Louisville area, including Economy Optical and Will Sales Optical. In the mid ’70s he went to work for Dispenser’s Optical Lab in Louisville and was responsible for that company’s growth in the safety and government contract arenas.

When an ownership change occurred in 1985, Baker was forced to start over. He mortgaged his house and purchased Korrect Optical from the E.B. Brown retail chain based in Cleveland, Ohio. At the time of purchase, Korrect was a small local retail chain with little or no wholesale business and approximately 20 employees. Under Baker’s guidance, Korrect has grown into one of the largest independent laboratories in the country, according to Steven Baker. The company currently has over 225 employees, he said.

Baker is survived by his wife, Marjorie Baker; his children, Roberta “Robbie” Kleinman (Richard), Barry Baker (Shevvy) and Steven Baker (Sheila); his step-children, Carol Grayson and Scott Goodman; his sister, Becie Potash; grandchildren, Stacy Boros (Steven), Michael Kleinman (Megan), Melissa Baker, Ellie Baker and Andrew Baker; and great-grandchildren, Jake Boros and Isaac Oliver Kleinman.

Donations may be made in Baker’s name to The Temple, 5101 US Hwy 42, Louisville, Ky. or to the American Heart Association.