Robert Alvin Walker, affectionately known to all as “Dutch,” age 80, died after a long struggle with an infected leg on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at his home at Touchmark Assisted Living Center on Saddle Drive in Helena, Montana.
A Celebration of Life will be held by his family and friends on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 3:00 pm in Sultan, Washington. On the following day, the family will lay him to rest next to his beloved wife, Joyce, at the Monroe Cemetery in Washington.
Dutch was born in Orofino, Idaho, on September 4, 1931. He grew up as the next to youngest child in a family of eleven children on a farm near there. He went on to join the United States Air Force on July 9, 1951 and he did a tour of duty to France, and was a firefighter aboard aircraft carriers. He was honorably discharged on July 8, 1955, and returned to Idaho, where he soon met and fell in love with Joyce Wynkoop.
Dutch and Joyce were married on October 22, 1955, in Idaho. They raised their five children, living first in Lewiston, Idaho, then moving to Lynwood, Washington in 1962 and settling in Sultan, Washington in 1968. Family get-togethers with the many members of both families (Dutch and Joyce) were frequent and fun-loving events.
Dutch was a truck driver for Bekins Moving & Storage Company for over 25 years, earning a place as a trusted and valued employee and friend to the owners of the company, the Bekins, with whom he remained close even up to the time of his death. Dutch also was a logger, including in the Lester, Washington area, where the family lived for a year. Dutch loved to hunt and fish and instilled that love in his sons. Dutch was also a fan of old cars and football – with his home declared as “Walker Stadium” where the family would gather to watch the games.
Dutch loved his family, but, as with all things in his life, he did it his way. He was a strong and proud man; choosing his own destiny – even the length of time that he was on this earth. Due to an injury, Dutch moved to Touchmark Assisted Living in 2006 and it quickly became his home, with the staff and residents becoming like an extended family. Once placed on hospice in November, 2011, when dealing with his infected leg, he was never heard to complain. Dutch loved to tease the girls, and really anyone, and was always upbeat and fun to be around, even in his final days.
Dutch was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, who died on February 11, 1996, after 40 years of marriage. On July 2, 1998, Dutch married Kathrine Berry, and she preceded him in death on March 10, 2006. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Zella Walker; his brothers, Everett, Frank, Darrell, John, and Jim; and his sisters, Margaret, Lois, Cybill, Helen, and Joyce.
Dutch is survived by his five children, Randy (Kristi) Walker of Wolf Creek, Montana; Deborah (Clare) Parker of Port Townsend, Washington; Rocky (Kathleen) Walker of Sultan, Washington; Don (Susie) Walker of Sultan, Washington; and Tami (Danny) Calicoat of Clayton, Washington. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, and 26 great grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank Rocky Mountain Hospice, as well as all of the staff and residents at Touchmark, for their care of Dutch during the final months of his life, and their friendship throughout his six years there. The family suggests no flowers. Memorials may be made to Rocky Mountain Hospice of Helena, Montana. Cremation has been entrusted to Retz Funeral Home. To offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Dutch, please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com.
Dutch lived a full and happy life, and he did it his way.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Gail Abercrombie says
So sorry to hear of Dutch’s passing. I always enjoyed saying “Hi” to him at Touchmark when I went there to visit my father. I’ll miss waving to Randy, Kristi and Dutch across the dining room at holiday brunches at Touchmark. My sincere sympathies to all of Dutch’s family.
Diane Walker says
My Deepest Sympathy to you all. So hard to loose a Dad. My thoughts are with you.
Diane Walker
Greg and Dawn Field says
To the Walker Family,
Just wanted you to know how much we enjoyed getting to know YOUR Dad on our Sunday visits to see OUR Dad at the Waterford. Dutch was usually oustide or near the front door and we always stopped to say hello, visit about what was going on on our ranch, or enjoy his teasing our three daughters (they loved it). We usually stopped for another visit on our way out. He was, without fail, always upbeat and ready to banter with us. We could see that his health was declining, yet his spirits did not. Amazing – what a tough guy! We hope he is at peace and doing something REALLY fun! Our condolences to you all.
susan says
I’ll never forget Dutch. Randy, I am so sorry to hear about your dad, he was a cool guy and I enjoyed his many visits at the lodge, and at IHOP and JBS. My condolences to you and your family. Susan