Robert Matthew "Bob" Walker was born near Denver on May 15, 1938, to Robert Charles Walker, Jr. and wife Katherine Rose Frank. They called him "Butch" and he grew up in Colorado, and spent some time in Kansas. After his parents divorced, Harry Hill filled his role of father (later on Butch would often express his appreciation for Harry); and he also enjoyed the love and care of his stepmother, Thelma. Butch also spent formative summers on his grandpa's ranch learning a deep appreciation for farming, horsemanship, and his Catholic faith.
At the age of seventeen impulsive youth had Bob married and in the United States Marine Corps. Smarter than he realized, Bob excelled in electronics and missilry, and his new skills charted a lifelong career. But the military proved too much for his young marriage.
In 1965 Bob and Marlou were introduced by an acquaintance, and they married November 25, 1966. Bob received many awards during his military career, including the Bronze Star with V.
In 1978, following two complete Vietnam tours and six children born, the Mustang Marine retired with his family to the rolling hills of south Giles County, Tennessee, where he pursued his passion for a horse ranch. But necessary work in the defense industry left little time for the physical work he loved. A faithful vessel from Faith Chapel invited the Walker family to church, and his relationship with Jesus Christ was renewed and matured. Bob, his wife and younger children were all baptized on a very cold December 25, 1983. Throughout the remainder of his life he strove to make Christ the center, and to help his children appreciate their calling.
For the following decades Bob continued his professional work and, eventually, the empty-nester found new passion for the iron horse, preferably Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He and Marlou enjoyed the rider's life traveling, dancing and making many friends, providing a Christian witness for those in need. He often spoke of retiring for good, but would wean himself from professional work at a slow pace.
Sadly, on Friday November 4, 2011 Bob was killed riding on his bike during the morning commute to work, the victim of a reckless, intoxicated driver. Bob left us doing as he loved; feeling cool crisp air coupled to the rumble of his favorite bike, anticipating a wonderful, beautiful ride home.
Thank you Bob; Butch; Scratch; warrior; peacemaker; husband; father; friend.
At the age of seventeen impulsive youth had Bob married and in the United States Marine Corps. Smarter than he realized, Bob excelled in electronics and missilry, and his new skills charted a lifelong career. But the military proved too much for his young marriage.
In 1965 Bob and Marlou were introduced by an acquaintance, and they married November 25, 1966. Bob received many awards during his military career, including the Bronze Star with V.
In 1978, following two complete Vietnam tours and six children born, the Mustang Marine retired with his family to the rolling hills of south Giles County, Tennessee, where he pursued his passion for a horse ranch. But necessary work in the defense industry left little time for the physical work he loved. A faithful vessel from Faith Chapel invited the Walker family to church, and his relationship with Jesus Christ was renewed and matured. Bob, his wife and younger children were all baptized on a very cold December 25, 1983. Throughout the remainder of his life he strove to make Christ the center, and to help his children appreciate their calling.
For the following decades Bob continued his professional work and, eventually, the empty-nester found new passion for the iron horse, preferably Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He and Marlou enjoyed the rider's life traveling, dancing and making many friends, providing a Christian witness for those in need. He often spoke of retiring for good, but would wean himself from professional work at a slow pace.
Sadly, on Friday November 4, 2011 Bob was killed riding on his bike during the morning commute to work, the victim of a reckless, intoxicated driver. Bob left us doing as he loved; feeling cool crisp air coupled to the rumble of his favorite bike, anticipating a wonderful, beautiful ride home.
Thank you Bob; Butch; Scratch; warrior; peacemaker; husband; father; friend.
Robert Matthew "Bob" Walker was born near Denver on May 15, 1938, to Robert Charles Walker, Jr. and wife Katherine Rose Frank. They called him "Butch" and he grew up in Colorado, and spent some time in Kansas. After his parents divorced, Harry Hill filled his role of father (later on Butch would often express his appreciation for Harry); and he also enjoyed the love and care of his stepmother, Thelma. Butch also spent formative summers on his grandpa's ranch learning a deep appreciation for farming, horsemanship, and his Catholic faith.
At the age of seventeen impulsive youth had Bob married and in the United States Marine Corps. Smarter than he realized, Bob excelled in electronics and missilry, and his new skills charted a lifelong career. But the military proved too much for his young marriage.
In 1965 Bob and Marlou were introduced by an acquaintance, and they married November 25, 1966. Bob received many awards during his military career, including the Bronze Star with V.
In 1978, following two complete Vietnam tours and six children born, the Mustang Marine retired with his family to the rolling hills of south Giles County, Tennessee, where he pursued his passion for a horse ranch. But necessary work in the defense industry left little time for the physical work he loved. A faithful vessel from Faith Chapel invited the Walker family to church, and his relationship with Jesus Christ was renewed and matured. Bob, his wife and younger children were all baptized on a very cold December 25, 1983. Throughout the remainder of his life he strove to make Christ the center, and to help his children appreciate their calling.
For the following decades Bob continued his professional work and, eventually, the empty-nester found new passion for the iron horse, preferably Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He and Marlou enjoyed the rider's life traveling, dancing and making many friends, providing a Christian witness for those in need. He often spoke of retiring for good, but would wean himself from professional work at a slow pace.
Sadly, on Friday November 4, 2011 Bob was killed riding on his bike during the morning commute to work, the victim of a reckless, intoxicated driver. Bob left us doing as he loved; feeling cool crisp air coupled to the rumble of his favorite bike, anticipating a wonderful, beautiful ride home.
Thank you Bob; Butch; Scratch; warrior; peacemaker; husband; father; friend.
At the age of seventeen impulsive youth had Bob married and in the United States Marine Corps. Smarter than he realized, Bob excelled in electronics and missilry, and his new skills charted a lifelong career. But the military proved too much for his young marriage.
In 1965 Bob and Marlou were introduced by an acquaintance, and they married November 25, 1966. Bob received many awards during his military career, including the Bronze Star with V.
In 1978, following two complete Vietnam tours and six children born, the Mustang Marine retired with his family to the rolling hills of south Giles County, Tennessee, where he pursued his passion for a horse ranch. But necessary work in the defense industry left little time for the physical work he loved. A faithful vessel from Faith Chapel invited the Walker family to church, and his relationship with Jesus Christ was renewed and matured. Bob, his wife and younger children were all baptized on a very cold December 25, 1983. Throughout the remainder of his life he strove to make Christ the center, and to help his children appreciate their calling.
For the following decades Bob continued his professional work and, eventually, the empty-nester found new passion for the iron horse, preferably Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He and Marlou enjoyed the rider's life traveling, dancing and making many friends, providing a Christian witness for those in need. He often spoke of retiring for good, but would wean himself from professional work at a slow pace.
Sadly, on Friday November 4, 2011 Bob was killed riding on his bike during the morning commute to work, the victim of a reckless, intoxicated driver. Bob left us doing as he loved; feeling cool crisp air coupled to the rumble of his favorite bike, anticipating a wonderful, beautiful ride home.
Thank you Bob; Butch; Scratch; warrior; peacemaker; husband; father; friend.
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