Neil Walker

1936 - 2017

WALKER

Neil Walker, 81 (9/7/1936-5/22/2017), husband to Ann, father to Martin and Catherine, grandfather to Ian and Megan, engineer, sports car and cycling enthusiast, photographer, and travel aficionado passed away recently after a short battle with cancer. Born in Tamworth, Staffordshire, UK in 1936 Neil spent his childhood in wartime Britain where his love of aviation began. In 1955 Neil began an apprenticeship at de Havilland Aircraft Company starting a long career as pioneer and industry leader in the field of jet engine propulsion. Following de Havilland, in 1960 Neil earned his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Queen Mary College, University of London, receiving his degree from HRH Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, and in 1967 a Masters Degree in Advanced Control System Design from Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge. Neil was later elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Aeronautics. Early in his career Neil worked at Lucas Aerospace as performance engineer and member of Concord project, working on fuel and control systems for the ground breaking Rolls Royce Olympus engines powering the worlds first (and to date only) supersonic passenger aircraft. Neil became a pioneer in electronic control of jet engines beginning in 1964 with a first FADEC design which led in 1974 to a flight-worthy FADEC on the Concord. Neil brought his family to the US in 1980 to join GE Aircraft Engine Business Group where he played a significant role in many major milestone projects for the company. Neil's leadership and technical innovation at GE included project leadership and responsibility for first of its kind blade controls for the words highest efficiency Ultra High Bypass Ducted Fan GE-36 (now in the Smithsonian), and for which he was awarded the Perry T. Egbert Engineer of the Year and made Principal Engineer. Technology from the GE-36 lead to Neil's leadership on the worlds highest static thrust commercial jet engine, the GE-90. Neil also provided technical leadership on the CF6, CF34, CFM56, and Honda Jet projects among others. While he dedicated his life to the design of jet engines, Neil still had time for other actives. He was an avid bicyclist, and an active member of the Cincinnati Cyle Club for many years, cycling many thousands of miles with his beloved wife Ann on both singles and tandems. Ann and Neil were avid travelers, visiting in recent years China, India, Tibet, Peru, Kenya (three times), Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Neil was a photography maven, and a professional photographer in his younger years, who thrilled in capturing the beautiful scenery and wildlife of the often remote locations in which he and his wife travelled. A believer in science throughout his life, Neil's body was donated to the University of Cincinnati College of Medical Science for the education of others. Neil leaves behind his wife of 54 years Ann, their son Martin and daughter Catherine, and grandchildren Ian and Megan.