Robert A Walker

At age 95, Dad died peacefully on January 9, 2012, at his home in River Park. Dearly beloved father of Cindy (Rich Puppione), Patti (Peter Hayes), Judy (Patrick Kemp), Bob (Debbie), Jim, Tom (Shannon); loving companion of Catherine Gill; cherished grandfather of Chris and Bobby Puppione, Jennifer Harris, Siddhartha Hayes, Sarah Walker, Jennifer Holcomb, Max and Alexandra Walker; cherished great-grandfather of Kendall and Austin Harris; dear brother-in-law of Aloyse Aubery; loving uncle to all of the Bateman, Aubery, and McBride families. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Genevieve Moor Walker (1978). A Sacramento native, Dad was born on April 3, 1916, to Joseph and Dorothy Gerig Walker of Canton Uri, Switzerland. Grandpa worked for Buffalo Brewing Co. of Sacramento and with Grandma raised 11 children. Dad attended St. Francis of Assisi School, Sacramento High School, and Sacramento Junior (City) College, where he excelled at baseball. A member of the 'Greatest Generation,' he joined the Army Air Corps in January 1942. He was a member of the Liberandos and successfully completed 50 bombing missions in Italy and Romania. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Oak Leaf Cluster as well as a Presidential Unit Citation for Distinguished Service and the Air Medal with six clusters. After the war, Dad went to work for Slakey Brothers as a salesman, a position tailored to his outgoing, friendly, and engaging personality. In 1985, he retired from Slakey's after a successful 39-year career. Dad was a warm, generous, and loving person, an incorrigible flirt who delighted everyone he met. We will miss him very much and know he lives on in our hearts. A Mass of Celebration is planned for the near future (date to be announced). Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Loaves & Fishes, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or the charity of your choice .