Robert E Walker

1929 – 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Walker, Fire Chief retired, on 17 July 2023 in Regina, SK. During his life he achieved many honours in the Fire Service, served his country in the RCAF and was very active in many organizations.

Bob will be lovingly remembered by his daughter Christine Hegi (Tom), grandson Colin Hegi, great granddaughters Chloe and Sadie, his “adopted family” Dwayne, Liana, Ania, Abby and Jenny Bohn, and his special friend Jean Peterson.

Bob was predeceased by his beloved wife of 58 years Geraldine (Gerri) in 2009 and his father Edwin, mother Winnifred and sister Doreen Goche.

He was the grandson of maternal grandparents John and Jesse Arnell who were original pioneers in the Calgary area before the CPR arrived in 1883 and paternal grandparents George and Martha Walker who arrived in Calgary in 1924.

Bob grew up in northwest Calgary and attended Crescent Heights High School. He joined the RCAF at age 18 then the City of Calgary Fire Department upon his return to Calgary. He continued his education at Mount Royal Collage (Presidents Honour Roll) in public administration, the University of Calgary for personnel administration and the Banff School of Advanced Management. As Fire Captain, Bob co-authored the first High-rise Fire Fighting and Rescue Program, initiate the fire ground command program, was a founding member and first Manager of the Aquatics Rescue Team and updated the International Airport Crash Rescue Program. He was appointed Deputy Chief for the Calgary Fire Department where he established the first computer aided dispatch system and UHF for Calgary’s emergency communications.

Bob was chosen as the Fire Chief for the District of North Vancouver and following that was recruited to be the Fire Chief for the City of Edmonton Fire Department. After 38 years in the fire service, he retired and was contracted to advise international companies in the sale of fire equipment in Asia for a few years.

Some of Bob’s favourite past times were spent as Vice Chairman Edmonton Klondike Days, Chairman for the information section Calgary Stampede Downtown Attractions, Heritage Park Planning Committee and his favorite for 14 years was the City of Calgary Heritage Advisory Board (past Chairman) and the Heritage Authority. He was a member of the Gyro Club in Calgary, Penticton and Regina for 40 years. Bob was also a member of the Shriners Marching Band and the Royal Canadian Air Forces Association. In addition to other service awards, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal and the Honorary Peacekeeper Award of Western Canada.

After a brief retirement in Penticton, he returned to Calgary then spent his last years in Regina to be close to his beloved grandson and great granddaughters.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Unit at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary.