Gary Walker, a cherished high school science teacher and assistant basketball coach, recently passed away, leaving his family shattered.
Mr. Walker touched the lives of many students with his dedication to excellence and his ability to make science and math approachable.
Although he was considered a tough teacher, Walker was known and respected for his passion for teaching and coaching.
Bill Fehr, one of his former students, took to his Facebook to pen a brief eulogy.
He mentioned that Mr. Walker had been one of the teachers he admired most during high school, and he invited him to take on the role of team manager, writing:
I just found out that one of my favorite high school teachers passed away. He was my science teacher. When he became assistant basketball coach for the high school boys team, he asked me if I wanted to be manager for the team. I guess I did a good job at the Jr. High level. I said yes. We got along really well. He will be missed. RIP Mr. Walker.
Bill Fehr
Mr. Walker was more than just a teacher. He saw potential in his students and pushed them to achieve it.
As a science teacher, he made complex subjects like chemistry and math understandable, often encouraging students to see math as the “language of science.”
Likewise, his role as an assistant basketball coach also allowed him to connect with students outside the classroom. Above all, his tough yet caring approach made him one of the most impactful teachers in school.
Mr. Walker’s death has prompted an outpouring of heartfelt memories from former students, who shared their thoughts in comments on Bill Fehr’s Facebook post.
One of his students, Debra Sellers, described Mr. Walker as someone who demanded excellence, but her words were filled with fondness.
She credited him for believing in her abilities in science and math, which helped her breeze through her college chemistry class, writing:
He was the teacher who believed I could good at science & math. I can still hear him chiding me, ‘math is the language of science!’ Because of him my chem 1 class at Luther was essentially a review. Unfortunately I didn’t have that going for me for P Chem & Chem 2
Debra Sellers
Likewise, another student, Aaron Putze, shared that Mr. Walker scared him as a freshman in 1984, but he grew to respect him deeply.
Even though he didn’t pursue science further, Aaron enjoyed hanging out with Mr. Walker and his students, chatting in the school basement. He wrote:
He was tough. Scared the crap out of me in in the fall of 1984 when I was an impressionable freshman and found myself in freshman science. But it was so worth it. I got to know and respect him and even though I didn’t pursue any elective courses in science.
Aaron Putze
Whereas, LouAndrea-Kurt Metzger recalled Mr. Walker’s quirky sayings like “CK” (common knowledge) and “second Tuesday of next week,” which likely meant something was never going to happen.
By mentioning them, LouAndrea keeps his voice alive, using a touch of sarcasm to poke fun at his memorable expressions lovingly.
Although precise details about his family remain concealed, we pray for their strength during this difficult time.
Rest In Heavenly Peace, Gary Walker!
