OBITUARY

Name:    Howard Edgar Walker

From:  The Ann Arbor News, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Date:  Sunday, June 7, 2009  

Howard E. Walker, Ph.D., died May 22, 2009.  Howard was born in Flint, Michigan, the son of Dalton and Muriel Walker.  Shortly after his graduation from Central High School in Flint, Howard was drafted into the Army Air Corp. He served during World War II in the 464th B24 Bomber Group as a clerk-typist and chaplain's assistant in the European-African-Middle-Eastern Theaters. He was honorably discharged from the military on October 1, 1945.

Howard earned his B.A. and M.A. at Wayne State University and his Ph.D. in Education and Psychology from the University of Michigan. Howard spent most of his professional life working with students in the public schools of Ann Arbor. He was the first school psychologist for the Ann Arbor School District and later served as an elementary principal and teacher. He retired in 1990 from his position as a sixth grade teacher at Ann Arbor's Clague Middle School.

How is survived by his wife, Patricia, and daughters, Julie McGraw and daughter, Carlie; Kelly (Tobey) Hilliard and their children Crispin and Kelbey; Debbie (Dave) Watson; Anne Walker and her son, Michael O'Neill; Carol Walker and her sons, Ben Barnes and Brian Walker. He is also survived by a sister and brother-in-law; three brothers and three sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

Howard was an avid reader and lived an active lifestyle. He loved the outdoors, especially fishing and hiking . Throughout his life, Howard enjoyed competitive activities such as handball and racquet ball as well as various table games. He will be remembered by those who knew him best as a kind, thoughtful, gentle person who always had time for his loved ones.  

In lieu of flowers, Howard wished that memorial contributions would be made to any local elementary school for the purchase of items to be used by students during lunch hour free time or rainy day recesses. If preferred, contributions can be made to Arbor Hospice, 2366 Oak Valley Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48103.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, June 12 at Nie Family Funeral Home, Liberty Rd. Chapel, 3767 W. Liberty Rd., Ann Arbor. A celebration of Howard's life will be held at Weber's Inn at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, with a cold buffet luncheon to follow. Please make reservations with the family.