Howard Walker

WALKER, HOWARD E. age 71, of Rockville, RI, died at Kent Hospital on December 30, 2015, held by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Michelle (Pinsonneault) Walker, and his daughter, Elizabeth Lambert Shi Walker; his brothers, Michael W. Walker, of Urbana, Illinois, and Paul J. Walker, of Chattanooga, Tennessee; loving in-laws, nieces, and nephews, and many cherished friends. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Mary Denise (Kearney) Walker and Ernest W. Walker, formerly of Urbana, Illinois. Mr. Walker graduated from the University of Illinois in 1966 with a degree in philosophy and as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. He graduated from Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, in 1967, was deployed to Viet Nam in 1968, and served on the USS Genesee AOG-8 as First Lieutenant. In 1974, Mr. Walker graduated from Boston University School of Law with honors and was a member of the Law Review. He began his legal career at Hinckley, Allen, & Snyder, became a partner in that firm in 1980, and will be remembered there for his good humor and his boisterous laughter. Wanting to spend more time with his family and at his home in the woods, Mr. Walker became a sole-practitioner in 2005. A trustee of the Providence Public Library for 36 years, he served as President from 1987 to 1992. He also served as a Trustee of the Rhode Island Civic Chorale & Orchestra, South Shore Mental Health Center, and the Hopkinton Land Trust, and as a member of the Hopkinton Planning Board. A lover of great books, music, poetry, and food, Mr. Walker was a life-long, enthusiastic learner known for retaining great quantities of information about diverse subjects. He was an avid hiker and an accomplished amateur birder, botanist, and geologist, interests and skills that he developed during his extensive travels, especially to the American West. A memorial service with military honors is scheduled for Saturday, February 6, at 10 AM (doors open at 9:40), at the Providence Public Library, 225 Washington Street, Providence, with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Providence Public Library. Mr. Walker's wife and daughter wish to thank family, friends, and colleagues, and the many doctors, nurses, and support staff whose generosity and compassion bolstered the family during Mr. Walker's long illness.