My dear, sweet Ian Guy Walker, whom I loved, died Friday, April 28, 2017 while doing what he loved. He was born "in the south, just not this south," in Westciff-on-Sea, England to Winifred and Eric Walker on February 3, 1948.

Ian cherished and appreciated the time he spent with friends on the golf course. It is not without irony that he took his last breath on his favorite golf course making a perfect drive from the 16th tee. Ian was often called "The Most Interesting Man in the World" as much for his good looks as for his talents. He was a bon vivant, a consummate host, a master of words and a "Beau Brummell" of our time. He was a chef, jazz musician, fly fisherman, pool shark, artist, solver of cryptic puzzles and a slow methodical eater. He was a gentle man who could turn a phrase, tell a tall tale, and he was my very own poet Laureate. He ordered his Gin Martini "very well shaken with a twist" and followed by, "I'll have the other half" in his alluring British accent.

Ian's professional career in insurance took him from London, where he "cut his teeth at Lloyds of London," to Boston and Chicago. After a near fatal accident, he decided the countryside of West Virginia would be a perfect spot to begin his second life while staying on the Chicago Insurance Board of Overseers. The accident ended his ability to participate in the annual Chicago Yacht Club race to Mackinac, known as, "The Mac," where he was part of the winning crew of Heritage, a 63-foot sloop. While living in West Virginia, Ian produced and starred in his own cooking show called "Dinner at Heron Lodge." Later, he traded the competition of sailing for the thrill of driving in his Indian Chief and Aston Martin DB9.

Ian loved his life more than most.

Ian Guy Walker will be terribly missed by me, his wife, Kathleen Elsa Walker of Atlanta, GA and my children who called him "Faux Pa": Laura Mitchell Bollman, her husband, Preston Cockey, and child, Hamish, of Atlanta and my son, Mark Brooks Bollman, IV and Alyssa Sullivan of New York, NY.

He is survived by his beloved three sisters, Jacky and her husband, Bill Keith, of Duxbury, MA; Jill and her husband, Rick Potash, of Fort Meyers, FL; Carolyn and her husband, Dickie Sullivan, of Nashville, TN; and nephews Michael Assad, Jr. of Mashpee, MA and Peter Garran of Duxbury, MA; as well as several cousins in England.

Life will not be the same.

A fitting memorial celebration of his life will be organized in the coming months. Donations in his honor can be made to the Ovarian Cancer Institute where was an avid advocate and Chairman of the Board: http://ovariancancerinstitute.org/

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The State on May 1, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Ian Walker

Sponsored by H.M. Patterson & Son-Spring Hill Chapel.

17 Entries

Sally Neal

February 12, 2018

I adored this man as a business acquaintance who was the embodiment of a "bon vivant". I will not forget him.

Charles A

May 15, 2017

Offering our deepest condolences to the family and friends in your hour of grief.

Wilson

May 14, 2017

May the God of all comfort strengthen the family during this time of deep sorrow. Those who pass on, God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. My sincerest condolences. Psalms 116:15.

Stephen Arthur

May 8, 2017

I apologize for the blank messages. Small glitch.

Firstly, let me offer my sincere condolences to Kathy and the children, and to Ian's sisters, Jackie, Jill and Carolyn. They, along with their parents, Winifred and Eric, were always kind and hospitable to me whenever I would visit the family home in Dedham (or a time or two in Duxbury). For that I am grateful.

I met Ian in 1965 through a mutual friend in Needham MA. We became great pals, and had many teenage adventures together. Later, in 1970, we shared our first apartment together in Cambridge, and continued the adventures there in our early adulthood. I was able to visit Ian in London in 1973, and got a fantastic insiders look at that great city, which I have come to love.
We both lived in Chicago at the same time, and kept up the friendship.
Our lives diverged after I returned to the East, but we stayed in touch. I was shocked to hear of his terrible accident, but gladdened to hear that he was able to carry on, and successfully so.

I will miss him greatly, but all of the many, many memories will always burn brightly.

Stephen C. Arthur

Stephen Arthur

May 8, 2017

I apologize for the blank message. Small glitch.

Firstly, let me offer my sincere condolences to Kathy, their children, and to Ian's sisters, Jackie, Jill and Carolyn. I would like to thank them for the kindness and hospitality they and their parents, Winifred and Eric, always provided to me. I enjoyed many happy times at their home in Dedham (and a few in Duxbury, as well).
I first met Ian in 1965 when we were teenagers, through a mutual friend from Needham. We became great pals, and enjoyed countless adventures over a number of years. We rented our first apartment together in Cambridge in 1970, and what times we had. I was able to visit him in London in 1973, and he showed me around that great city, which I came to love. We were in Chicago at the same time as well.
Our lives diverged over the years, but the many wonderful memories still burn brightly, and will always.

He will, indeed, be greatly missed.

Stephen C. Arthur

Elliott May

May 7, 2017

Katie, Ian was one of my best friends. We rocked and rolled through Nobles together, drank martinis, and played golf. Before the accident I would visit him in Chicago and hear him play the harmonica in clubs there. When he was back here visiting his folks in Wellesley he would occasionally prepare a superb dinner. Just after you met he told me that he was crazy about you! You were a perfect fit. If one has to go it should be doing what one loves. He was. I miss him very much.

May 7, 2017

I am very sorry for your loss.

Ellen Fleming

May 7, 2017

I did not know your precious husband, but I was deeply moved by your loving tribute. My prayer is for your comfort and peace.

Roper

May 6, 2017

Truly, I have never met someone so well described by you, and from your sweet heart, Katie. He adored you. May his eternal spirit live on forever in your heart and so many who were charmed and blessed by his captivating self. He was his own man. Owned by no one and loved by all. God Bless you, dear wonderful Katie.

Charles A

May 6, 2017

Offering our deepest condolences to the family and friends in your hour of grief.

Preston Salinari

May 4, 2017

Ian will be missed Greatly! Life is not just the passing of time. Life is a collection of experiences, Ian made the most of it!

Lynn Sullivan

May 3, 2017

Dear Katie and family,
We are so deeply sorry to hear of Ian's passing.
In the all too few times we were in his company, stories and laughter ensued, he will be sorely missed
Wishing you peace and comfort in the coming days...
With our heartfelt sympathy, prayers and love to all,
Lynn & Len Sullivan

Dee

May 2, 2017

My condolences to the Walker family. May God grant you peace in the difficult days ahead.

May 2, 2017

As you celebrate his legacy of life, may you be continually comforted by pleasant thoughts of happier times together. May God bless you with peace, comfort, and strength to help you through the difficult time.
Psalm 46:1

John & DeEtte McDonald

May 1, 2017

My wife DeEtte and I first had the pleasure of meeting Ian through our interactions at the Ovarian Cancer Institute (OCI) but we soon found that we shared many other interests (follies?)-most notably in the areas of music and motorcycles. Some of my fondest personal memories of Ian were when he would occasionally visit our house in Athens on weekends when a blues band I was part of was playing at a local bar and Ian would agree to "sit in" with us on harmonica. As many of you know, Ian was one of the very best musicians anywhere on that instrument. The following day we would have a great time riding motorcycles around the back roads near Athens before heading off for his inevitable afternoon martini. Playing music (especially blues) with someone is a magical (at least I can't explain it) way to connect on some kind of primitive level. It's probably why I feel such a loss at Ian's untimely passing and sadness for the grief that I know Katie and his family must be feeling. Ian was a great colleague at OCI and a great friend. He was truly one of a kind. DeEtte and I feel very fortunate to have crossed paths with Ian and will miss him dearly.

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