Robert Franklin Walker

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Dec 25th, 2018

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Death Date: Dec 25, 2018

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Biography: Robert Franklin Walker, a fifth-generation native Arkansan, well known deaf artist and alumni of Gallaudet University, died at his home in Little Rock on December 25th. He was 60 years old. Rob was a true artist in every sense, whether he was ?pushing paint? around on the canvas or weaving a story that would immediately pull you in. Even a simple cup of coffee while sitting with his beloved animals could be transformed into a captivating window to his world. He had a deep love and admiration for all creatures. An accomplished equestrian in his younger days, his love of horses was an intimate theme throughout his work. Beneath a gently gruff exterior lay a tender heart that welcomed everyone he met as if they were old friends. A grand storyteller with an exceptional eye for detail, friends and family always felt truly seen by him and never had a doubt of his honesty or affection. His oil paintings of animals, friends, family and landscapes were much admired by a national audience including the De?VIA community. Deaf View/Image Art, abbreviated as De?VIA, is a genre of visual art that intentionally represents the Deaf experience and Deaf culture. His alma mater, Gallaudet University, had recently purchased a large De?Via oil painting by Rob for their permanent collection. Gallaudet University is the premier institution of learning, teaching and research for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Last year Rob was chosen nationally as one of five deaf artists to participate in a residency at The Anderson Center in Redwing, MN. (The first known Deaf-friendly and culturally accessible residency program for Deaf artists, performers, scholars and writers in the U.S.) He was known for his quick wit, devilish grin, and kind and compassionate spirit. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Rob was preceded in death by his father, Hewie Walker, and mother, Rosalie. He is survived by his sister, Reita Walker Miller, and nieces, Amy Reinhold (Edward), Maria Brannon (Beau) and current fur babies, Pookie Marie and Froddy. A celebration of life will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home on Sat., Jan. 12th at 2 pm. More details to follow: www.ruebelfuneralhome.com

Condolences(39)

Linda Levitan

#39

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Our community has lost a superb artist and generous spirit. Just want to mention that DEAF LIFE is doing a cover tribute to him. We intend to keep honoring his memory.

Diane Key

#38

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dear Reita,
I was very sorry to learn of the death of your brother.my sincere condolences to you and your family.
Pace and Blessings,
Diane

Jerry ODell

#37

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Our two families having been friends for at least three generations and including intermarriage, the Leola Lamb family wishes to express our heartfelt condolences to your family on Rob's passing. We remember him with great fondness. Our daughter, Robin Ann O'Dell went to high school with him. Sorry we will not be able to attend his service on Saturday but those of us who live in Little Rock are all sick with colds.
Love and prayers,
Montyne Lamb O'Dell Robin Ann O'Dell
Jerry O'Dell Bill Lamb

Jerry ODell

#36

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Our 2 families having been friends for at least 3 generations and including intermarriage,the Leola Lamb family wishes to express our heartfelt condolences to your family on Rob's passing. We remember him with great fondness. Our daughter, Robin Ann O'Dell, went to high school with him. Sorry we will not be able to attend his service on Sat. but those of us who live in L.R. are all sick with colds.
Love and prayers, Montyne Lamb O'Dell, Jerry O'Dell, Robin Ann O'Dell, Bill Lamb

Mac Murphy

#35

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Rob was an amazing artist. I had the privilege of representing him at M2 Gallery the last few years. He will be missed not only for his art but also for his humor and sarcasm. Rest well, Rob.

Shirley Winkler Morgan

#34

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Reita - so sorry to learn of your brother's passing; my prayers are for you and your family.
Shirley

#33

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

So sorry that he passed away on Christmas evening but we will remember him and hope meet him again.
A friendly outgoing man as I met him with the group of interpreters from UALR at US Pizza 2017 and again at silent Sunday Nov 6 , 2018 saw his beautiful drawings a friend bought his art picture of horses. Hope to see his family and friends to share the loss of him.
He is aroundI just talk to him anytime as I talk to my friends and family.

Max

#32

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

You were and always will be my friend. RIP and keep these brushstrokes going in heaven.

Berna M.

#31

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I was shocked to find out he passed away. I met him during my sophomore year at Gallaudet University - intro to De?Via class at Washburn hall. He was a talented artist whom I was so fascinated with his painting style. So after that, we usual sit together at cafeteria and chatting about arts. I?ll miss him❤️

Shannon Flanagan

#30

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I have known Rob is seems all my life - 1st through Amy, then we rode together and later through his art which hangs on my walls. He was a dear human and a kindred animal lover spirit. The world is a less colorful place without him. His family is in my prayers, I am truly sorry for your loss.

Karen Wagner

#29

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Rob was a wonderful friend and he will missed greatly. He was also a wonderful artist and we always kept in touch during our birthdays yearly. He was a day younger than me, but born in same year ! Oh we had many awesome times together at our dorm at Gallaudet. RIP, Rob 🙏I will miss his calls. Love u, Rob 🤟

Williams Family

#28

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Condolences to the Walker family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your whole family. Psalms 147:3 says God, "heals the broken hearted, and binds up their wounds." to May God bring you comfort and peace.

TOMMY R MOORE

#27

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

So sorry to hear of Rob's passing. You are in our prayers.

Sandra Harris

#26

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I was shocking to found Robert passed away and He was very talent artist. He always went to chat other deaf people and me at Deaf Starbucks events. We really miss him and time to go home up the heaven.
Prying for his family.

Heather Withrow

#25

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

We're gonna miss our friend Robert on Facebook. I met him at Gallaudet University as I'm also an artist. Robert had a distinct painting style that I appreciated and I loved the topics of his painting and how he'd portray them in a thought-provoking way. Not only was he dizzyingly talented with paint, he was brilliant with words. I enjoyed his delightfully descriptive stories of the times past and recent. Fare thee well, Robert F. Walker, brother, uncle, son, friend, artist, author and smirker extraordinaire. Our thoughts are with you and the family. ::H

Kim Dunahay

#24

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I was so shocked to hear about Rob passing. I worked for the Walker's when they had the cleaners. Rob sent me a friend's request on Facebook a few years back and we reconnected. I always enjoyed his post and seeing his paintings. His passing has really saddened me. My thoughts are with his family.

#23

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Sara Stallard

#22

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

So sorry for your family?s loss. Robert was a wonderful friend to many of us. I will miss our late night conversations, and the inspiration he brought as an artist.

Gordon DaDalt

#21

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

We both knew each other in Gallaudet University and he loves Art as much I do. We both sat beside each other drawing naked woman. At first, my eyes was staring at her body and he said, this is art not porn! We both laughed and start drawing seriously and have privileges to get to know him. We both kept in touch occasionally thru Glide & now, he?s in better place united with his parents & his old pets across Rainbow Bridge ❤️ Gordon DaDalt, Toronto, Canada 🇨🇦

Euna Dennis

#20

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Oh, my Sweet R.F. Walker, you will be sorely missed by many of us! I always enjoy having you at our Deaf Starbucks Events, we usually chatting about his artist and my ceramics work at ending hour of Starbucks events. My condolences go to his family and friends!

Donald Russell

#19

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

My deepest condolences. Rob was a great guy and a very good friend. He will be truly missed by many. An awesome person as well as a gifted artist. I had commissioned him to do a piece for me when he came up to visit me on my farm. Rest in Peace my friend, you will paint the heavens.

Deborah Carroll

#18

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

It was so sad to hear of the passing of Robert. It has been so wonderful to watch his art career grow with the images he posted on Facebook. He was a kind spirit and the world was better for him being here. Prayers for strength and peace in the days ahead for the family. God bless Roberts memory.

Janice Dicus

#17

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Oh, I am so going to miss our long chats, he was a awsome man, and me with bad hearing problems, he helped me so very much. I also so enjoyed working with him at his parents cleaners, he taught me so much with sign lang. And he was going to draw a picture for me of my lil Scruffles. My Hugs and prayers are so with his precious sister. If there is anything I can help with, please call me. You are forever in my prayers. I lost my daughter on Christmas Eve 2013, he was so very sweet, talking with me daily. I am so going to miss our awsome chats. He was such a wonderful, careing man, that loved his famiy so VERY Dearly.

Carla Davidson-Saum

#16

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I met him at UALR 1994, sweetest man, he's fun to associate with him, have coffee at Community Cafe, Starbucks or McDonald's, chatted each others with enjoyful news of deaf community, and so on. He invited me to his arts class, I demonstrate myself in his class for him and students to paint me or do sculpture. I still have his sculpture of me. He was the greatest deaf artist in Arkansas. He will be sorely missed by many people who knew him.I used to babysat his dogs and cats when he was away out of State for his Art events. My prayers to his family. My dear sweet artist man! Thank you, Rob for being such a sweet friend. Hugs you, Rob. Your friend always, Carla.

Josh gray

#15

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

So sorry for your loss. I loved my time as a student in Little Rock and all of the conversations that Robert and I had. He will be missed. Praying for you all.

Masters House Deaf Church

#14

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

From our family to yours we want to tell you we are sorry for your loss and we send lots of prayers, hugs, and positive thoughts your way. If you guys need anything please reach out to us. May God be with you all of you guys. Remember all postive and happy times. God bless you MHDC ❤️🤟🏽

Lanetta Haas

#13

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Reita, my empathy to you. I am so sorry for your loss. Rob was so talented, and I enjoyed his postings on FB very much. I have much regret that he did not get to paint one of my horses as he stated to me several times he would like to do that. I would have so enjoyed the painting...... !!

Lanetta

Carolyn Jolley

#12

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

So very saddened to learn of Robert?s passing. Such a sweet, talented, kind, and gracious artist. My deepest condolences for Robert?s family.

Tracey S.

#11

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Rob was a genuine, humblest and kind man. Not only this, he?s skillful in oil and watercolor paintings of Deaf culture subjects, animals and landscapes. He will be truly missed. Sending my heartfelt condolences to his family.

Cathy Nugent

#10

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Robert...kind, talented and engaging. I loved his Facebook writings and wonderful, sometimes poignant stories. His smile was the brightest of anyone I know. I am so saddened with the news of his passing. It is hard to imagine that our conversation at the recent gallery show would be our last. He has touched my heart. My love to Reita and his nieces. He will be profoundly missed.

Candyce Hinkle

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Deeply saddened by this loss. Loved the stories Robert told through his art. His work will continue to represent him and inspire generation after generation.

Cathy Nugent

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Diane P Gutierrez

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

So profoundly saddened to hear of Robert's passing. Although we never met, I had admired his artwork and enjoyed exchanging comments with him about them. Looked forward to meeting him someday, which will not happen now. May his family be blessed with memories and peace forever.

Kerry Kemp Joiner

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Miss you Rob. From church, high school art class, UALR, and at the art store, you've been a dear friend. Love to Reita and all.

daniel west

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

From Cloverdale to McClellan Rob was a neighbor and friend. Art class in the 7th grade was amazing as your artistic talent was emerging. Thank You for sharing your gift with us and the World. Rob could paint or draw anything seen or imagined. I'm sure all of us will be seeing images of Angels in the skies above us. RIP Rob

Gy Alexander

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

What a blessing to have known this man and be aware of his incredible ability with that brush. What a talented person. Will miss him. Wish I had known him better.

Linda Hughen

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Oh sweet Robert! You will forever be in my heart and on my walls! That piece you painted of my precious Lucy and BB will always warm my soul. I loved the times we spent together at Trio?s over a glass or two of wine solving all the worlds problems! What a gift you had with the brush and canvas and people! Love you❤️

Carrie Holyfield

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I studied art at UALR with Robert. Always very talented and such a kind soul. He will be missed. So sorry for your families loss.

Aliza Jones

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

All my love. I adored him and will miss my chats with him. I love you all