Robert Russell Walter

Robert Russell Walter, age 75, died on Monday, June 9, at his beloved home in Boones Mill, VA. He was born on May 11, 1939, the only child of Russell William and Sara Salome Brown Walter. Bob grew up on the Fort Meade Army Base in Maryland, where his father worked as a civilian engineer. He received his BA degree from American University in 1962 where he served as president of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, his MA in English from Indiana University in 1966, and studied as a Visiting Scholar at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He taught for 32 years at Roanoke College and was a much-loved teacher of American literature, the short story, Western & Native-American literature, Chaucer, the English language, advanced grammar and composition. He will be remembered as one who cared deeply for his students and for his calling as a teacher and who truly made a difference in the lives of students. He retired as Associate Professor Emeritus in May 1999. Professor Walter served as editor for 26 years of The Roanoke Review, a national literary journal representing Roanoke College, and served on numerous committees and forums at the College. He was a poet and fiction writer, publishing in many national literary magazines. Outside the classroom, he was a fly-fisherman, an avid golfer, a college sports enthusiast, and a world-traveler with Paris being a favorite destination.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by his former wife and the mother of his children, Janet Gornto Walter.

Surviving to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 20 years, Carolyn Campbell Walter; his children, Robert Lowell Walter (Casey) of Silt, CO and Kari Walter Rowley (John) of Basalt, CO; his step-children, Brian Douglas Barger (Elizabeth) of Matthews, NC, and Jennifer Barger Blugerman of Troutville, VA; nine grandchildren: Bennett, Brigs and Emory Walter, Hayden and Macy Rowley, Meagan and Emily Barger, and Emma and Matthew Blugerman.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2014, in the Antrim Chapel of Roanoke College. The Rev. Paul Henrickson and the Rev. Chris Bowen will officiate, and a reception will follow at the Olin Hall Gallery. The family wishes to thank Dr. Dan Temeles, Bob's long-time friend and doctor, and all who have helped care for him during this time of illness.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wise-Walter English Major Endowed Scholarship at Roanoke College, 221 College Lane, Salem, VA 24053. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service of Rocky Mount.