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Robert V. Walker was born on September 21, 1924, in Waco, but he was reared on a farm near Satin, Falls County, during the depression years. He entered Texas A&M University in 1941 just before the beginning of WWII. Before the war-caused disruptions of normal college years, he did earn A&M freshman and varsity letters in baseball, a huge childhood and high school pursuit which later figured prominently in his lifetime career. After entering the U. S. Army Field Artillery in 1943 he was fortuitously assigned in 1944 to the Baylor College of Dentistry.
When the war ended in 1945, he was discharged from the Army but he proceeded on to graduate with a DDS degree in 1947. During dental school, Dr. Walker played local semi-pro baseball in Dallas and he signed a professional baseball contract with the Chicago Cubs in 1946. His bonus for signing was the most money he had ever seen. Even though a small amount by today’s standards, it was enough for him to buy a brand new car (very difficult to do during the early years after WWII) and a proper engagement ring for Emily, his fiancé and soon-to-be bride. He did spring training in 1946 with the Tulsa Oilers, a farm team of the Cubs, and spent a short time with the Oilers in Tulsa before returning to finish his dental degree at Baylor, March 1947, and to marry Emily, April 1947.
Dr. Walker established a dental practice in Waco, 1947, but four years later, he was again called into the U. S. Army, 1951, after the outbreak of the Korean War. Because of his known baseball experience, he was assigned to the Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, as both a baseball player and a dentist. By chance, during the Korean War, Brooke was one of three Army medical centers designated as a maxillofacial injury care center. Dr. Walker gained enormous exposure and experience in care and reconstruction of maxillofacial injuries at Brooke during the 28 months prior to his discharge from the Army in 1953. His focus was now keenly on becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon as a career specialist.
He immediately enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Medicine, Philadelphia, 1953-54, and then completed a two year residency in oral surgery, Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, 1954-56, to finish the formal requirements for board eligibility in oral surgery. Because of his extensive experience in care of maxillofacial injuries, he was invited to join the faculty of the University of Texas southwestern Medical School in 1956 to create a Division of Surgery within the Department of Surgery and it is here that he has remained for the past 52 years. He retired from day-to-day activities in 1997, but he remains in the Division as Professor Emeritus.
Dr. Walker joined the American Dental Association (ADA) and Texas Dental Association (TDA) in 1947 in Waco, was absent for three years during his graduate education, and picked up again with the Dallas County Dental Society (DCDS) in 1956. He was involved in work of many committees of the DCDS, including Chair Southwest Mid-Winter Dental Clinic (1966), and secretary-treasurer, vice president and president (1968) of the Society. He has been a member of the Baylor Oral Health Foundation since 1997 and currently serves as Chairman of its Board of Directors.
At the TDA state level, Dr. Walker served many years on and chaired the Cancer Committee, chaired the Special Committee to Survey Dental Installations in State Special Schools and Hospitals (which lead to much improved care in these facilities through the Department of Health), and has been on the Board of Directors of the Texas Dental Foundation, 1994 – 2007.
At the ADA national level, Dr. Walker served as Chairman of Clinics and Motion Pictures Committee, Scientific Session, 1958 – 1966, Consultant to the Council on Scientific Session, 1965 – 1966, Section Chairman of Oral Surgery, 1963, Member, Review Commission on Advanced Education in Oral Surgery, 1965 – 1971 (more than 120 dental school and hospital based oral surgery residency programs had to be inspected, evaluated and given an accreditational status in this short six year period – not done for any program during previous 15 years because of financial and manpower limitations within the Council on Dental Education), Consultant to the Council on National Board of Dental Examinations, 1967-1975, Member Advisory Committee on Dentistry to the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals, 1971-1980, and Member, Appeals Board, Commission on Education, 1974-1984. The most grueling and ticklish work was done through the 1960s and 1970s with administrative and professional leaders of the ADA in negotiations and dealings with the American Medical Association, The American College of Surgeons and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals (JCAH) which eventuated in the ADA obtaining a seat on the Board of Commissioners of the JCAH, 1983. This brought dentistry into the official family of hospital work.
Dr. Walker had a vigorous leadership career in oral and maxillofacial surgery where he served as President of the Southwest Society of Oral Surgeons, 1973, and the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 1989-1992. He was one of four American oral surgeons on the organizing committee working with British colleagues to convene the first International Conference on Oral Surgery that was held at Royal College of Surgeons, London, 1962. The very successful conference led to founding of the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (IAOMS) which was constituted in Copenhagen, 1965. He served as president of IAOMS, 1989-1992. During Dr. Walker’s tenure as President, AAOMS, he and three colleagues were instrumental in gaining ADA authorization for change of the specialty’s name from oral surgery to oral and maxillofacial surgery to more accurately embrace the scope of the specialty’s work. This name change spread internationally. During the mid-1980s to early 1990s, Dr. Walker and a group of colleagues energetically took on the task of raising a substantial corpus of funds for the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation (OMSF) which now holds assets and planned giving bequests in excess of 20 million dollars. The Foundation is a powerful resource for many research and educational needs within the specialty. The OMSF serves as a model for what such an institution can lend to work of a professional organization. Dr. Walker chaired the Foundation, 1988-1989. A part of the OMSF which assists in planned giving has been designated as the Robert V. Walker Society where membership is an honored identification. Dr. Walker has worked at cancer control, particularly in the head and neck region for years and he served as President of the American Cancer Society Texas Division, Inc., 1968. His greatest interest, however, has been in injury prevention and control. He is a founding fellow of the American Trauma Society (ATS), 1974, has served on the ATS Board of Directors since that time, was President of the ATS, 1990-1992, and has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors, 1994-2007. He has been named Chairman Emeritus.
Outside interests of Dr. Walker’s include work with his alma mater, Texas A&M, where he has been a member of the College of Science External Advisory and Development Council since 1996. He chaired the Council, 202-2004. He established the Emily and Robert Walker Endowed Scholarship in the College, 1995, and the Emily and Robert Walker Endowed Lectureship on the Frontiers of Biology in the Department of Biology, 1995. He has been a member of the President’s Council of Advisors, 1998 to the present, and a member of the Chancellor’s Century Council, 1996 to the present. He was a founding member of the Texas A&M University System Medical and Dental Society, 1996, and he served as President of the Society, 2004-2006. At his other alma mater, the Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry, (BDC), he and his wife have established an Emily and Robert Walker Endowed Scholarship, 1996. He chaired his classes of ’47 50th Reunion and was instrumental in raising sufficient funds among his colleagues to establish the classes of ’47 Endowed Scholarship at the BCD. Dr. Walker co-chaired the Steering Committee for the College’s Centennial Celebration which was held throughout the year, 2005, and highlighted by an outstanding Gala. He has been on the Board of Directors of the Baylor Oral Health Foundation since 1997, and he currently is Chair of the Foundation, which is a prominent resource to the college.
Dr. Walker has received ample recognition for his work, the more notable include: induction into the Texas A&M University College of Science Academy of Distinguished Former Students, 2004; Texas Dental Association Gold Medal for Distinguished Service, 2003; Dallas County Dental Society Lifetime Achievement Award, 2002; induction into the Baylor College of Dentistry Hall of Fame, 1999; William S. Stone Award for Contributions to Injury Prevention and Control, American Trauma Society, 1998; establishment of the Robert V. Walker Society (for Planned Giving), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation, 1997; Honorary Fellowship, International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kyoto, 1997; establishment of the Robert V. Walker Chair in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, 1992; Distinguished Service Award, American Trauma Society, 1992; Donald B. Osbon Award for Outstanding Educator, American Association Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Section on Education, 1990; Alpha Omega Alpha, Honorary Medical Society, 1988; W. Harry Archer Distinguished Achievement Award, American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 1988; Dedication of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Annual Meeting to Robert V. Walker, 1987; Distinguished Alumnus Award, Baylor College of Dentistry, 1985; elected as Fellow in Dental Surgery Royal College of Surgeons of England, 1984; Distinguished Service Award, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 1981; elected as Fellow of Faculty of Dentistry Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, 1973; Omicron Kappa Upsilon, 1947; and others.
Dr. Walker has a lovely wife, Emily, who is the greatest joy of his life. They are companions and buddies with many mutually enjoyed activities, particularly as attendees at most Rangers, Cowboys and Mavericks games. They were married 62 years ago in 1947. Their two sons, Robert V. III and Judd and Daughter, JoAnn, are married and living in Seattle, San Antonio, and Upland, Indiana. They now have seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Emily is an accomplished spinner and weaver and involved with much Guild work to keep the craft alive and highly visible with many state fair and school demonstrations. Dr. Walker is an avid golfer and has played most of the venues for major tournaments in this country and Great Britain. Augusta National, Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes and the rugged courses of Ireland and Scotland are among his favorites. His home course is the Dallas Country Club. He is a deacon at the Highland Park Presbyterian Church.
Even though retired, Dr. Walker enjoys emeritus status at the UT Southwestern Medical Center. He goes to his academic office every day, when not traveling, to attend the many activities in which he is still engaged. He is most thankful for the inspirational and fulfilling life which dentistry has granted him.
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