- Born on: March 6, 1924
- Departed on: December 1, 2021
- Resided in: Iowa City, IA
George William Walker
Iowa City, IA – George William Walker, Professor Emeritus School of Art and Art History University of Iowa, passed away on December 1, 2021 in Iowa City, IA. He was 97 years old. George was a man of integrity, strength, compassion, and courage. He embraced life with a sense of great adventure, curiosity, kindness and clarity of purpose. His deep love for his wife and family was ever present and he easily found joy in everything surrounding him – creating art, travelling, teaching, friendships old and new, summers in northern Michigan and more.
Born in Gaylord, MI in 1924, to Howard and Vera, he had 2 siblings, Jack and Betty. George served in the U.S. Army during WWII and spent most of his wartime service in Italy. Upon returning home, he completed his BA at Michigan State University. He had grown very fond of Italy, its people and culture, and returned to study at the Academy of Fine Art in Rome. George met Carolyn Ann French and they married on November 8, 1952. They started their lives together in Gaylord, raising their family, while George partnered with his brother to run the family furniture business.
Within a few years, George elected to follow his passion. He completed his Master of Fine Arts at MSU. That decision opened an exciting life journey for George and Carolyn, which led them to the University of Iowa. His creativity, charisma, warm personality and bright smile engaged his students and everyone around him. The friendships with his students carried on into his retirement and he cherished them. George was a prolific artist whose work was acquired by many, both nationally and internationally. He loved color, great design, and saw beauty in simplicity, which are conveyed so eloquently in his art.
George will be missed dearly by all who loved him. George is survived by his children Michael (Susan) Walker, Martha (Greg) Sagan, Mary (David Linden) Walker and grandchildren Sarah (Robert) Bruggeman, Doak Walker, Michael (Kelly) Sagan and Benjamin Sagan. The family welcomes your memories of George.
Born in Gaylord, MI in 1924, to Howard and Vera, he had 2 siblings, Jack and Betty. George served in the U.S. Army during WWII and spent most of his wartime service in Italy. Upon returning home, he completed his BA at Michigan State University. He had grown very fond of Italy, its people and culture, and returned to study at the Academy of Fine Art in Rome. George met Carolyn Ann French and they married on November 8, 1952. They started their lives together in Gaylord, raising their family, while George partnered with his brother to run the family furniture business.
Within a few years, George elected to follow his passion. He completed his Master of Fine Arts at MSU. That decision opened an exciting life journey for George and Carolyn, which led them to the University of Iowa. His creativity, charisma, warm personality and bright smile engaged his students and everyone around him. The friendships with his students carried on into his retirement and he cherished them. George was a prolific artist whose work was acquired by many, both nationally and internationally. He loved color, great design, and saw beauty in simplicity, which are conveyed so eloquently in his art.
George will be missed dearly by all who loved him. George is survived by his children Michael (Susan) Walker, Martha (Greg) Sagan, Mary (David Linden) Walker and grandchildren Sarah (Robert) Bruggeman, Doak Walker, Michael (Kelly) Sagan and Benjamin Sagan. The family welcomes your memories of George.
