Robert "Bob" Walker

Loyal, humble, and fiercely independent, Robert E. Walker was the kind of man people could count on. He lived with integrity, worked hard, loved deeply, and never hesitated to help when someone needed him. His greatest happiness came from the people he loved, and throughout his life, he had a remarkable ability to make others feel safe, supported, and cared for. As a teacher and mentor, he touched countless lives, but to his family, he was a beloved husband, dad, papa, brother, and friend who will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

April 14 was both the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, the sinking of the Titanic, and Robert’s birth; an event his wife Marrijane would later joke was the third disaster to happen on that day. And on April 14, 1942, Ernest Jones and Grace Caroline Walker of Sturgis, Michigan, welcomed the arrival of their firstborn son, Robert Ernest Walker. A few years later, Bob became a big brother to his little sister Janet Grace Walker.

Bob learned independence at an early age. His family did not have much money. As a result, he developed a tremendous work ethic and determination to make his own way. He was resourceful by nature and loved figuring things out. If something was broken, Bob didn’t necessarily see a problem, he saw something he could fix. He fixed his own cars and would take parts from one vehicle and put them into another. That practical, can-do spirit would remain one of the qualities that defined him. When Bob was just 12, his father passed away. It was a tremendous loss at a young age, but his aunts and uncles stepped in to help guide and support him. He spent many summers with Aunt Winnie, Uncle Floyd, and his cousin Karl, on the farm in Bronson MI. Bob would often state that they were all important influences in his life. As Bob got older, his Uncle Ron Kirby, took him under his wing and provided him a job at the Sturgis City Dairy. When Bob was a Junior in High School, his Uncle Ron took him and his cousin Nancy to the University of Illinois to take an interest and ability evaluation. When the assessor asked him if money was important, Bob replied that when he was all done, he wanted to know that he made a difference. The Evaluator said, then teach Social Studies. And so his journey began!

He also had a deep love for the outdoors. He enjoyed camping, snowmobiling, motorcycles and he loved the hard work of chopping wood. A wood-burning stove was a fixture in his life, and later, his cabin in the woods became a special place where he could slow down and enjoy the things he loved most. He and his family spent time there riding snowmobiles, sitting on the deck, and watching for deer.

Music became another early love. Bob began playing the trumpet at Sturgis High School. He played in the school band, which earned numerous honors and awards. He graduated in 1960 and continued his education at Western Michigan University, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1964 and later his master’s degree to further his education.

It was at Western that Bob met the love of his life, Marrijane VanPelt. She marched right behind him in the university’s marching band. She noticed the handsome young man in front of her and eventually asked him for a ride home—a simple request that changed the course of both their lives. Marrijane was drawn to Bob’s confidence, humor, adventurous spirit, and kind heart. She had been raised with strong, traditional values and was happy to find someone who shared them. More than anything, she felt safe with Bob. He had a reassuring presence and a natural instinct to protect the people he loved. They married in 1965 and began a marriage that would last 61 years.

Perhaps fittingly for a man born on such a historically significant day, Bob found his calling teaching history and government. With his intelligence and wit he was able to capture the interest of his students and he made Government relevant to young minds. He dedicated 40 years to Portage Central High School, spending his entire career in the same classroom, affectionately known as “the Walker Den.” His classroom became a place students remembered long after they left school. Not simply because of what they learned, but because of how Bob made them feel. Bob had a gift for reaching young people. He was especially drawn to students who struggled and seemed to need someone in their corner. He could be firm without being harsh and expected his students to work hard, but they always knew he cared about them. He made learning fun, and his wonderful sense of humor was a big part of his connection with students. He loved to tease and prank them, especially if he caught one falling asleep in class.

Bob was deeply involved in student life. He headed the student government and encouraged students to become active members of their school and community. Some of the many activities that he organized include homecomings, the Breadlift for the March of Dimes, and blood drives. He also joined students by participating in productions of Grease and Guys and Dolls. In addition, for over 15 years, he helped take students to Washington, D.C., giving them the opportunity to see their government in action and experience the lessons they had studied firsthand. He didn’t just teach leadership, he modeled it. One of his great accomplishments was serving as the president of the Teachers Union at Portage for 10 years.

Teaching may have been one of Bob’s greatest gifts, but his family was always his greatest treasure. He and Marrijane were blessed with three children, Erin, Alyson, and Justin. Bob loved being a father and was deeply invested in his children’s lives. He encouraged them, supported them, taught them, and made sure they knew they could always count on him. He even had the special joy of teaching each of them when they came through his classroom. Then came another role he cherished: Papa. Bob was incredibly proud of his grandchildren, and he treasured watching them grow. His joy multiplied again with the arrival of his great-grandchildren. Family gatherings, time together, and watching the people he loved build lives of their own were among his greatest blessings.

Bob’s caring nature extended well beyond his immediate family. For five years, he and Marrijane served as co-directors of Van Buren Youth Camp, welcoming and caring for hundreds of campers and staff. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and nurtured a quiet faith throughout his life. He also had a tender heart for animals, especially dogs.

There was a beautiful consistency to the way Bob lived. He worked hard. He kept his word. He helped people. He expected the best from those around him because he believed they were capable of it. And when someone he loved needed him, they never had to wonder whether he would be there. Bob was their protector, their teacher, their steady presence, the person who would simply say, in his own way, “I’ve got your back.”

He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, his mechanical ingenuity, his love of the outdoors, and the twinkle that often accompanied a good prank. But most of all, he will be remembered for the way he loved people. He gave his family a lifetime of memories, gave his students confidence and direction, and gave so many others the comfort of knowing they were not alone.

Robert E. Walker, an icon in the halls of Portage Central High School for 40 years, died of natural causes. He was preceded in death by his parents Grace Caroline and Ernest Jones Walker; his grandparents; Bert and Lucy Walker and Gail and Mable Kirby. Also brother-in-law David VanPelt; as well as several aunts and uncles.

He leaves his beloved wife of 61 years, Marrijane; his three children, Erin (Jon) Willard, Alyson Lonsway, and Justin Walker; seven grandchildren, Nathan (Jennika) and Sarah Willard, Donovan and Luke Lonsway, and Olivia, Sophia, and Anna Walker; two great-grandchildren, Briar and Lalaina Willard; and his sister, Janet Davison.

Please join us for a Life Story Visitation on Wednesday, August 19, from 5–7 p.m. at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive. There will be a time of sharing at 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 20, at 11 a.m. at Milwood United Methodist Church, 3919 Portage Street, with visitation beginning one hour prior. A luncheon will follow the service. Private interment with family will be held at Portage South Cemetery.

Celebrate Bob’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to The Animal Rescue Project or The Walker Mulay/Smith Fletcher Fund.