George William Walker II ’66

George William Walker II ’66 of Richmond and Bochum, Germany, a lecturer in the English Department at the University of the Ruhr, Bochum, died February 12, 2007, at his home in Bochum after a short illness. He graduated from Highland Springs High School in 1961. While still a student, he played French horn with the Richmond Symphony on several occasions. He obtained an undergraduate degree from Davidson, spending a year of study in Germany, and received a master’s degree from Duke University. During doctoral studies at Johns Hopkins University, he was offered the teaching position in Bochum and remained in that capacity for the rest of his life. He was intensely interested and accomplished in a number of areas. While still a Boy Scout in the 1950s, he founded with like-minded friends the Glenwood (Farms) Rocket Association. His skill with images came to include photography and water color painting. Laying aside the French horn, he became a self-taught and proficient recorder player, performing here and in Bochum. He hiked, camped and canoed throughout his life and was an award-winning target shooter. He researched and designed a number of American culture courses which he established as part of the university’s curriculum. His published work ranged from scholarly writings on Vladimir Nabokov to counterculture remembrances in a volume compiled by Paul Krassner. A final task brought him great satisfaction: the completion of his semester grading, finished a few hours before his death of complications from cancer. Survivors include his brother, Alfred Walker and his wife, Loretta; his sister, Kathy Grace; and nephews, Christopher and Nicholas Walker; also by his aunt, Elizabeth S. Mintz, 7727 Sheryl Dr., Norfolk, Va. 23505; four first cousins, and an array of friends on both sides of the Atlantic. The family thanks William’s colleague, Ms. Petra B. Schubert of Wanne-Eickel, Germany, who was indispensable to William during his illness and to his family following his death.