Theodore "Ted" Walker

Theodore 'Ted' Walker, a 64-year resident of Boulder, died peacefully in his sleep at age 96 on March 28, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. Ted grew up in Madison WI during the depression and was a student at the University of Wisconsin when WWII started. He enlisted and completed his basic training in Colorado, falling in love with the state and vowing to return. He served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy doing photo interpretation and was one of the first to view photos of the destruction of Hiroshima - a horror that impacted him the rest of his life. After the war Ted returned to Madison, completed his PhD in geology and met and married his wife Barbara Simonsen. After a brief time at the Illinois Geological Survey, Ted landed his dream job in 1953, starting a long and distinguished career at the University of Colorado-Boulder as a geology professor. He received numerous awards, served as the Department Chairman and was president of the Society of Sedimentary Geologists. Ted's research was dedicated to the study of iron-pigmented sedimentary rock (red beds) earning him the nickname Red Bed Ted. His studies took him to North Africa, the Middle East, Western Europe, the Southwestern US, and Baja California. He was a highly regarded teacher in the Department of Geological Sciences, remembered by former students for the attention he gave them, and the intensity and focus of his instruction. After he retired from CU, Ted and Barbara became avid skiers and cyclists. He, Barbara and friends biked most of Colorado's passes and much of Europe. Switzerland was their favorite country to cycle and he knew the bike routes better than most commercial guides. Ted also skied at least fifty days a year. He made his last ski outing on his 90th birthday -- just four months after a bike accident landed him in an intensive care unit with seven broken ribs and a punctured lung. Ted and Barbara were married for 67 years and when she died in August, 2016, he lost his best friend and love of his life. Ted often commented that he had lived a full life, had a wonderful family, and a fulfilling career. He died with no regrets and at peace with a life well lived. He is survived by his children, Lynn of Nashville, Bruce (Alice Cort) of Boston, Ann (David Budd) and Scott of Boulder; and seven grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his wife Barbara and son-in-law, Bob Newbrough.