David Thomas Walker

David "Dave" Thomas Walker passed away suddenly on Friday, July 11, 2025, at the age of 66, following an unexpected health event.
Dave was born on February 11, 1959, in McDonald, Pennsylvania to Hugh Paul and Janice Hope (Brancart) Walker. He was raised in McDonald alongside his siblings, Tim, Tina, and Amy, and graduated from Canon-McMillan High School in the Class of 1977. Following high school, Dave earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 1983, and later completed his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Purdue University in 1988.
After moving to Michigan, Dave began a career in research and education. He worked as a professor at the University of Michigan and as a research scientist with various companies. For the last 15 years, he found a professional home at SRI International, specializing in ocean modeling and environmental systems. His work in hydrodynamics reflected both his technical skill and a curiosity about the natural world. He often spoke of his work colleagues with admiration and counted many of them as friends. He was named SRI Fellow in 2017 and in 2020 he was inducted into Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society.
While studying at the University of Pittsburgh, Dave met Noreen Atkins, a fellow mechanical engineering student. Despite a long-distance relationship early on-including Friday night long-distance phone calls while she worked in Cincinnati and he studied in Indiana-they married in 1985 in Pittsburgh.
Together, they raised two daughters, Kathleen and Shannon, both of whom followed in their parents' footsteps to become engineers. Dave was proud of his daughters and delighted in being part of a family that could "speak the same language" of engineering.
Dave was a builder and fixer. He worked with his daughter Kathleen on her old home and enjoyed grilling with Shannon. He had many hobbies such as woodworking but his passion was restoring his beloved Porsche- a 1985 911, the same year he and Noreen were married. He was a member of the Rally Sport Region of the Porsche Club of America, he enjoyed high-performance driving education track events and analyzing data he collected to improve his driving skills. Watching Formula 1 with Noreen was one of his favorite ways to relax.
His constant companion, Milo the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, could often be found riding as passenger in the Porsche or sitting patiently in the garage as Dave worked on the car.
Dave is survived by his wife of 40 years, Noreen Atkins Walker; his daughters, Kathleen Ann Walker and Shannon Deirdre Walker; his mother, Janice Hope Walker; and his siblings, Tim (Patricia) Walker, Tina Walker Edwards, and Amy (Lauren Cicchitto) Walker. He is also survived by his father and mother in-law Chuck and Jean Atkins, brother-in-law, Barry Atkins; sisters-in-law, Marian Atkins, Gail Atkins, and Sharon Reich; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Hugh Paul Walker.
Dave will be remembered as a wonderful husband, a proud and supportive father, a caring son and brother, a loyal friend and a thoughtful coworker and mentor. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.