Robert F. Walker

Robert F. (Bob) Walker, of Cohasset, known to many as “Walker Bob,” died on January 24, 2023. He was 77.

He was the dear companion of Tracey E. Read of Quincy. Loving brother to Mary Peddell Crothers (Bert) of Plymouth, Dorothy Rowins of Ventura, California (Jim) and John Walker Jr. (Carol) of Plymouth, he was the beloved uncle of 8 nieces and nephews and their many children.

Born in Boston on December 4, 1945 to the late Mary Cahill Walker and the late John T. Walker, Sr, Bob was the youngest of 4 children. He was raised in East Boston and East Weymouth where he played on many sports teams (particularly baseball and hockey) and was a friend to many. An altar boy at St. Albert’s Church, Bob was also a life guard at Whitman’s Pond and Wessagusset Beach.

Bob attended Immaculate Conception Elementary School and graduated from Archbishop Williams High School in 1963 where he played on the varsity hockey team for all 4 years. Between 1968 and 1970, Bob served in the U.S. Army as a chaplain’s assistant. In 1974, he received his BS in sociology and elementary education from Boston State College, where he also played hockey. Bob’s team was later inducted into the UMass Boston Sports Hall of Fame. Bob went on to study photography and received his Master of Science in Art Education from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2001. His specialty was in the art of black and white film. In 2014, Bob received his Addictions Counselor Certification from the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Always youthful, creative and compassionate, Bob’s career has included jobs and freelance work in the areas of photography, education and social work. Whether he was counseling a client or serving as the wedding photographer, Bob was always able to put people at ease with his outgoing personality and mischievous sense of humor. He was a social worker with DSS (DCF) from

1981 to 1986 and has had many teaching jobs, including those with physically impaired preschool children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders. He was also a substitute teacher for many schools on the South Shore. Over the years, Bob cherished teaching photography to school children in the Brockton Public Schools (through a program with Stonehill College) and on the Isle au Haut, Maine. As a social worker in Lawrence, he assisted doctors and nurses in providing medical care to the local homeless population. Bob’s most recent job, at which he was working until this past November, was as a Peer Specialist for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Brockton.

Bob was a true animal lover, and had many dear furry companions over the years, including at least 3 Gordon setters, Musket, Angus and Duncan, his cat, Kemosabe and his beloved beagle, Otis. Bob was also known to spend a lot of time growing plants and feeding the birds in his backyard. As a dinner guest, he always arrived with a big hug, a witty remark and a bouquet of wildflowers.

In his spare time, Bob enjoyed hobnobbing with family and friends, meeting new people and reading. He loved reading about sports, nature, and spirituality and he enjoyed a good novel. Bob was an excellent driver who took frequent road trips around New England, especially to coastal Maine. He also traveled to Newfoundland, California and Ireland. Until he broke his femur at the age of 70, Bob regularly played hockey with his old buddies. In addition to listening to music of all genres (especially reggae, folk and 60’s songs), Bob relished gathering his talented nieces and nephews for singalongs and instrumental jam sessions. He truly believed that music had the power to heal and bring people together, and this was exemplified by his volunteer work with Music With Heart (formerly the Boston Minstrels).

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during visiting hours on Saturday February 4th between 1 PM and 5 PM at the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home in South Weymouth at 809 Main Street (Rte 18 opp. So. Shore Hospital. A funeral service will be celebrated at 5 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory can be made to the Angell Animal Medical Center Boston (www.mspca.org) or Music With Heart (www.musicwithheartboston.org).