Robert Taylor Walker
Robert Taylor Walker was born May 24, 1920 to Robert Ellie Walker and Edna Roberta Walker in Hazard, Kentucky. He married Virginia Barnes on July 4, 1971 at a private ceremony at the Mt. Sinai Christian Church. He had pulled too many “pranks” on his friends at their weddings. He knew there were several out there just waiting to get revenge, therefore, he didn’t want to take that chance.
He had three brothers: William Walker of Chicago, Illinois; Bruce Walker of Cumming, Georgia; and Wallace Walker of Danville, Kentucky along with one sister, Patricia Young of Versailles, Kentucky.
Robert attended school in Hazard, Alice Lloyd at Caney Creek and Eastern Kentucky University. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Corp (now known as the U.S. Air Force) prior to the start of World War II. After the start of the War, he served in campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, Sardinia and Italy.
Robert was discharged in 1945 after 5 years of active duty. Later he enlisted in Kentucky Army National Guard in Ravenna. He was commissioned a second lieutenant. He rose to the rank of Major, transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve in 1969 and was promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel, retiring in 1980. He served his country and state faithfully, both in wartime and peacetime.
In 1945 he was loafing at the Ravenna Drug store reading comic books when Martha May asked him to work. He started on a temporary basis and then became a partner in 1971. He and Virginia purchased the building from Billy and Dorothy Wylie on September 18, 1982. While at the store, he made many friends and was especially popular among children whom he adored.
Robert was Chief of the Ravenna Fire Department when it was organized in the forties. He put the spirit into the volunteers and provided for their training and equipment. They responded will to his demand for excellence.
He worked through the schools to educate the children about fire hazards and prevention. He initiated a poster contest in the schools every year and provided prizes for the best one. Every year during the “Fire Prevention Week”, a Fire Queen was chosen and she was given a ride on the fire truck through town. As a result of these efforts, Ravenna was given much better insurance rates.
Robert worked twenty five years with the Boy Scouts. He was Cub Master for the first Cub Scouts Pack, sponsored by the Ravenna Christian Church in 1947. He was also assistant Scout Master with Troop 144 Boy Scouts of America. He attended summer caps when he could and was known for his culinary abilities including his famous Hunter’s Stew. The boys looked forward to coming back form the twenty five mile hikes to find Hunter’s Stew hot and ready to eat. Robert also assisted in putting together an Indian Dance Team as a special scout project and it was in demand all over Kentucky.
Robert was serving as the Commander of Company H. National Guards when the tornado struck the City of Ravenna in June of 1961. Ravenna came under Marshall Law and Company H received a commendation From Governor Bert. T. Combs for their excellent performance during the emergency. He also saw service with the Guard when Governor A.B. Chandler sent them to the Eastern Kentucky Coal Fields during the 1950’s to cover an emergency there.
He was secretary of the Estill County Development Association. The Association entered a contest for “Community Pride” with groups of Kentucky towns and counties. They were the recipients of the winning plaque. Estill County also rated second in the sixth district for the sixth district for Community Progress.
Robert was a member of the National Rifle Club, Retired Officers Club, Retired National Guard and Civil War Round Table.
Robert served with distinctions as Deputy Sheriff , along with Monty Park and Edsel Haney. He enforced the law in a fair and impartial way and was respected by the citizens of Estill County. On January 14, 1986 Robert was sworn in as Chief of Police of Irvine. He was shot and killed in the line of duty on February 16, 1986.
This traumatic event deeply touched the hearts of all the people in Estill County. The Mayor and Irvine City Council remember his death in a very special ceremony each year. He is buried in the Barnes Cemetery at Miller’s Creek, Kentucky.
He had three brothers: William Walker of Chicago, Illinois; Bruce Walker of Cumming, Georgia; and Wallace Walker of Danville, Kentucky along with one sister, Patricia Young of Versailles, Kentucky.
Robert attended school in Hazard, Alice Lloyd at Caney Creek and Eastern Kentucky University. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Corp (now known as the U.S. Air Force) prior to the start of World War II. After the start of the War, he served in campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, Sardinia and Italy.
Robert was discharged in 1945 after 5 years of active duty. Later he enlisted in Kentucky Army National Guard in Ravenna. He was commissioned a second lieutenant. He rose to the rank of Major, transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve in 1969 and was promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel, retiring in 1980. He served his country and state faithfully, both in wartime and peacetime.
In 1945 he was loafing at the Ravenna Drug store reading comic books when Martha May asked him to work. He started on a temporary basis and then became a partner in 1971. He and Virginia purchased the building from Billy and Dorothy Wylie on September 18, 1982. While at the store, he made many friends and was especially popular among children whom he adored.
Robert was Chief of the Ravenna Fire Department when it was organized in the forties. He put the spirit into the volunteers and provided for their training and equipment. They responded will to his demand for excellence.
He worked through the schools to educate the children about fire hazards and prevention. He initiated a poster contest in the schools every year and provided prizes for the best one. Every year during the “Fire Prevention Week”, a Fire Queen was chosen and she was given a ride on the fire truck through town. As a result of these efforts, Ravenna was given much better insurance rates.
Robert worked twenty five years with the Boy Scouts. He was Cub Master for the first Cub Scouts Pack, sponsored by the Ravenna Christian Church in 1947. He was also assistant Scout Master with Troop 144 Boy Scouts of America. He attended summer caps when he could and was known for his culinary abilities including his famous Hunter’s Stew. The boys looked forward to coming back form the twenty five mile hikes to find Hunter’s Stew hot and ready to eat. Robert also assisted in putting together an Indian Dance Team as a special scout project and it was in demand all over Kentucky.
Robert was serving as the Commander of Company H. National Guards when the tornado struck the City of Ravenna in June of 1961. Ravenna came under Marshall Law and Company H received a commendation From Governor Bert. T. Combs for their excellent performance during the emergency. He also saw service with the Guard when Governor A.B. Chandler sent them to the Eastern Kentucky Coal Fields during the 1950’s to cover an emergency there.
He was secretary of the Estill County Development Association. The Association entered a contest for “Community Pride” with groups of Kentucky towns and counties. They were the recipients of the winning plaque. Estill County also rated second in the sixth district for the sixth district for Community Progress.
Robert was a member of the National Rifle Club, Retired Officers Club, Retired National Guard and Civil War Round Table.
Robert served with distinctions as Deputy Sheriff , along with Monty Park and Edsel Haney. He enforced the law in a fair and impartial way and was respected by the citizens of Estill County. On January 14, 1986 Robert was sworn in as Chief of Police of Irvine. He was shot and killed in the line of duty on February 16, 1986.
This traumatic event deeply touched the hearts of all the people in Estill County. The Mayor and Irvine City Council remember his death in a very special ceremony each year. He is buried in the Barnes Cemetery at Miller’s Creek, Kentucky.