My Friend Bob Walker

by
posted on March 4, 2014

My friend Bob Walker was so excited the day he launched Slayer Crossbows. It seemed he’d gotten the crossbow bug overnight and, true to his promise, found a way to deliver a high-performance line for hunters at every skill level at a price that wouldn’t break the bank—all in the name of innovation and helping to bring families together in the great outdoors.

I first met Bob in my buddy Ray Eye’s outdoor writer turkey camp in the 1990s. I was doing public relations for NRA and was the newcomer in the group so he walked over and, with shining, smiling eyes and outstretched hand, said, “Hi, Karen, I’m Bob. I already know all about you. I love the NRA and I’m so glad you’re here.” How’s that for a warm welcome? As everyone took turns gravitating to his high-on-life enthusiasm, I finally realized he was the Bob Walker, the big outdoor-industry innovator who had left his audiology practice in 1989 to make a difference for hunters by launching Walker’s Game Ear. As a fellow hunter, he wanted to create a device that not only protected our ears from gunshots afield but that amplified the high frequency and often barely audible sounds of wild game as they moved around us in the woods.

Bob and I were instant friends, as was the case with everyone he met. Many hunts, trade show events, Christmas cards and birthday get-togethers later, Bob decided to sell his company. Retirement never crossed his mind as his new goal was to launch other new products by starting Sportsman Outdoor Strategies (SOS). If there was a need for a new hunting product and any chance it could be created, Bob would make it a reality—hence SOS’ Slayer Crossbows. Bob was all about sharing his hunting tips and tactics with fellow hunters and celebrating his love of hunting so it was no surprise his next step was to launch Sportsman Outdoor Strategies TV.

Obviously,Bob never slowed down—except to go to Disney World. When he heard Mom had never been there, the next day we were planning a trip. “I’m a big kid,” he’d say as Mom and I struggled to hit every ride on his list and vowed to visit every country at Epcot Center. “Life’s too short, Karen and Mom,” he’d say, adding, “Karen, you work too much. You need to go to Disney more.” It was his favorite place outside of the home he and wife Karen shared in Pennsylvania—“Walker’s Mountain”—where he hunted and fished with family and friends when he wasn’t making new friends on his worldwide outdoor adventures.

The last time I saw Bob and Karen was at my wedding to Phil Philips last June. Bob had beaten leukemia after a bone marrow transplant and was living life to the fullest again. Then in December he got a virus that settled in his lungs. With his immune system so weak, he got the flu and then pneumonia. Last Tuesday, Feb. 25, Karen called to say my friend was gone. He was 62.

Today as Phil and I drive to Bob Walker’s service, we know we’ve lost one of the best friends we will ever have. I silently promise myself I will try to live as Bob did: Celebrate life every day, hunt as often as possible, be a big kid and make sure those I treasure always know it. The next time my bow and I are in a treestand and I’m 12 feet closer to God, I’m going to pray and ask Him to please get Bob’s attention—you know, God, the one with the shiny, smiling eyes—and tell him I miss him.

Latest

Negative Effect Of Talking While Hunting Lead
Negative Effect Of Talking While Hunting Lead

Studies Show Negative Effect of Talking While Hunting

Wildlife biologists have determined that hunters talking afield will send most animals in flight faster than gunshots or dogs.

How to Hunt Safely Into Old Age

Hunters armed with the wisdom of age plan for eventualities like ailments, first-aid emergencies and remote communication. Everyone else should heed sage advice if they want to become an old hunter.

Review: Leupold RX-5000 TBR/W

Other than being a tough-as-nails handheld unit that’s touted to range to a maximum of 5,000 yards, the RX-5000 contains “Location Pinning” technology that represents perhaps the biggest advancement for hunters since the laser rangefinder itself.

AR-Platform Rifles Becoming More Common Afield

Forty-one percent of surveyed hunters used an AR-platform rifle at some time for hunting, according to the findings of research conducted by Responsive Management for the Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation.   

#SundayGunday: Taurus Expedition

This week, we’re taking a closer look at the Taurus Expedition, the company’s first-ever bolt-action rifle.

Tips for Moving Your Stand During Deer Season

Hunt long enough and you’ll encounter the need to move a deer stand during the season. Here are some tips for the best ways to do so.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.