Robert Walker

Robert Walker started his career in music and magic. During the 1950's he was a popular musician in the Philadelphia area, with a combo in which he played guitar. His band toured across the world and while travelling in Egypt, he became friends with a Saudi Prince. He learned to read and speak Arabic and converted to Islam, taking the Muslim name Muhammad Sadiq, at a time when Islam was largely an unknown religion in the United States. Performing in Arabian garb, he became known as Bobby "The Sheik" Walker, and he was featured in Jet magazine in 1955. One night while playing, a friend introduced him to Jean Lesswing, and they married on November 24, 1958. Robert put down his guitar and life on the road to provide for the new family they planned. Robert moved to Ardmore with his wife Jean in 1962 to start their new family. An interracial couple, they chose the 300 block of West Spring Avenue in Lower Merion because of its mix of neighbors. They chose well. In 1965, an electrical fire started overnight in their home, while he was at work at the skating rink nearby. Neighbors assisted the fire department with helping the six children, ages 5 (Maryam), 4 (Da'ood), 3 (Muneera), 2 (Seleema), 1 (Jameela), and one just born, along with their mother, from the house. When Robert arrived home he raced inside to find the baby, thinking Ameen had been left behind. Family and neighbors assisted until the Petrella family offered to sell their house. 319 West Spring became the new Walker family home. While doing odd jobs or most anything that put food on the table, Robert met Alan Smith, a locksmith in Ardmore. Mr. Smith instantly recognized Robert's intelligence and integrity, and offered to teach him the locksmith profession. This was a bold move for a white man to make in the 1960's, even in Lower Merion. Upon Mr. Smith's retirement, Robert took over his business, becoming the first African American to be licensed and bonded in the state of Pennsylvania. Family remembers many nights when the doorbell would ring because someone was locked out of their car or home, and other times when he was urgently called to the township police department or to a library to open or fix a lock. Even though his career was set, "Mr. Bob" never turned away from music and magic. He always gathered neighborhood kids, along with his youngest brother Randy, to play music on holidays. The house would fill with the sounds of instruments and singing, especially on Labor Day when West Spring held its annual block party. He performed magic shows across the Main Line, at senior centers, in libraries, and in private homes, the donations from which he always sent to the Multiple Sclerosis Society in memory of his younger sister Anna. Always handy, he had a gadget for any job. When his health began to fail, he purchased a motorized wheelchair, and was known to jet up to the CVS or down Lancaster Avenue to the Petco in Wynnewood to pick up supplies for his favorite birds. Mr. Walker lived through the loss of his wife Jean and grandson, Daood. He is survived by his six children: Maryam Phillips (Rob), Da'ood Walker (Cindi), Muneera Walker (Leee), Seleema Walker, Jameela Fleming (Randy) and Ameen Walker (Patrice); son-in-law Khaleel Mason; eight grandchildren: Aleeya Walker Mills, Sabreeyah Mason, Christopher Walker, Robert Walker, Aqeel Phillips, Ciani Walker, Walker Fleming, and Najja Walker-X; sister Yeshimabeit Kadir, brother Randy Manon, and brother-in-law Melvin Martin. He also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Robert lived a full and fulfilled life, touching scores of people along the way. He was a good friend to many, a positive role model for young people, and later, an adopted grandfather to any young children who were fortunate enough to meet him. He will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.