Robert S. Walker, Sr.

Robert “Bob” Walker, Sr., 86, died peacefully in his home surrounded by family on September 24, 2019. Bob was born in Skowhegan, Maine, graduated from the Maine Maritime Academy, served as a U.S. Merchant Marine and was a U. S. Navy veteran. Bob then worked at Bethlehem Steel in Massachusetts which is where he met his wife Barbara. In 1978, Bob founded Marine Hydraulics International, Inc. (MHI) in Chesapeake, Virginia, which he later sold to his employees as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). He also founded Ocean Marine Yacht Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. He and his family lived in many states, from Maine to Florida, as well as Puerto Rico. Throughout his successful career, Bob was hired as an expert witness in several maritime incident court cases and served as a mentor to countless young entrepreneurs. A 1953 graduate of Maine Maritime Academy, he was later appointed by the Governor to serve on the MMA Board of Trustees. Following his retirement from MHI, Bob and Barbara moved to Marco Island, FL. He was a proud patriot who loved boating, automobiles, crossword puzzles, and watching NASCAR and football. Bob was a humble man with impeccable principles, who positively impacted the lives of everyone who was lucky enough to know him.

Bob is predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Florence; his siblings, Ruth, Mona, Deane and Les; his grandson, Forrest. Left to cherish his memory and continue his legacy are his wife of 58 years, Barbara; his children, Bob Jr., Mike and wife Shawn, Robin and husband Bob, Deane and husband Chris; his grandchildren, Brett and wife Austin, Morgan, Kyle, Allison and Reagan; his great-grandchildren, Jack and Webb.

We will be celebrating Bob’s journey through life on Saturday, November 16, 2019, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel in the Surf Club Oceanfront Restaurant which looks out over the Atlantic Ocean. He loved the sight and sound of the ocean waves breaking on the beach and always yearned to be near or on the water.

For any and all out of town attendees we have arranged for a special room rate of $59.00 per night through the weekend. Reservations can be booked by contacting the hotel front desk at 757-428-7025 or by visiting their online reservations at the link below.

https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/groups/hr/robert-s-walker-sr-celebration-of-life

Dress is business casual.

We respectfully request an RSVP by November 11, 2019.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to “The Robert S. Walker Regimental Scholarship Fund” at Maine Maritime Academy, One Pleasant Street, Castine, ME 04420.