Bob graduated from Central High School where he earned his first Kiwanis Award for Athletic and Academic Achievement. Following an outstanding basketball career at Evansville Central High School, Bob joined the Aces under Coach Arad McCutchan. He earned All-Indiana Collegiate Conference Honors in 1955 and 1956 and received his second Kiwanis Awards for Athletic and Academic Achievement as a college senior in 1956. He finished his career as one of the top 20 scorers in Evansville College history with 1,044 points, which Bob jokingly pointed out was before the era of the three-point shot.
Following graduation, Bob embarked on a 39-year teaching and coaching career. He spent the first five years of his career teaching at Vogel Elementary School. The following 34 years, he devoted to teaching at North High School, where he also passionately served as a coach. In the seven years as the Huskies' Varsity Head Coach (1977-78 through 1983-84) and 15 years as the Reserve Coach, Bob's teams compiled a record of 296-141. He was an assistant coach and key X’s and O’s architect on North’s 1967 State Championship Team. During his career, he was chosen as Evansville Coach of the Year in 1978, 1979, and 1980.
In 2009, Bob was inducted into University of Evansville's Basketball Hall of Fame. Bob was also inducted into North High School's Hall of Fame in 2013. During his 70s and 80s, Bob played three-on-three basketball in the National Senior Olympics and walked away with the winning Gold Medal on two occasions.
Before Bob went to his heavenly home, he emphasized that friendships and making a positive impact on young students as a mentor and role model were his most important lifetime contributions and more important to him than any of his basketball accomplishments. He shared in his final days that he never worked a day in his life because he loved teaching and coaching.
He formerly attended Central Methodist Church and Bethlehem United Church of Christ and was most recently attending Crossroads Christian Church.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Shiela Walker; his parents, Elige and Maggie Walker; brother, William Walker; and sister, Margie Utley.
Bob is survived by his beloved children, Mindy Walker-Quirk (Tom), Kent Walker (Marla), Cindy Davis (Guy); his beloved grandchildren, in whom he found great joy and much pride, Sarah Asay (Evan), Will Davis (Brittany), Lee Walker, Matthew Davis (Sarah), Melissa Davis, Megan Davis, Sean Davis; and great-granddaughter, Paisley Davis.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm on Thursday, April 14th, at Alexander North officiated by Chaplain Pedro Mendez. Visitation for family and friends will be from 10 am-12 pm. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Heart to Heart Hospice and Dr. Rick Crawford for the care and comfort they provided.
Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.
