A tribute to the life of Dave Walker
We here at 7&4 have sad news to report, we are saying good-bye to our friend, colleague and mentor Dave Walker.
You may know Dave had esophageal cancer, and despite a very brave battle, he lost that fight Thursday morning. We honor Dave with a tribute, a sliver of full life where he touched more people than he could have ever have known.
Eugene Telma was a Northern Michigan boy, growing up in his home town of Ludington, his ties to this region were strong and life long. He'd later change his name for his broadcasting career. And even those closest to him knew him as we did, Dave Walker. And he could warm up a room, just by walking through the doors. Everyone would yell, 'Dave!' and he would just smile.
Dave first discovered his skill as a broadcaster while studying at Michigan State. He graduated with a degree in communication. You didn't have to spend much time with Dave to know that the Spartans and storytelling were two of his life long passions.
He was our anchor at TV 7&4, but he was always a radio man first. From stations in Ludington, and even as far off as Los Angeles, California.
He started reporting the news in our area in 1969, and first went in front of the camera in February 1984. And I think he was best there. He could be smart, and knowledgeable, and still approachable. That ease he brought with him to the anchor desk is something many broadcaster work their whole careers and never achieve, and it came naturally to him.
Dave loved telling people's stories, getting down to the real impact beyond the headline, why does this matter? Dave would ask all of us, what does this mean to our average viewer? He encouraged the hundreds of producers and reporters he met along the way to do the same. He wanted all of us to become not just broadcasters, but storytellers. And he wanted all of us to not only be good at what we did, but to enjoy it as well.
He was always grateful of the experiences broadcasting presented to him, from covering the Republican and Democratic conventions, the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, spring training and opening day with the tigers, and one his favorite stories, his ride in with the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels. He longed to learn new things and no matter what story he was covering, he always having fun.
Dave was a proud Vietnam Veteran, but that wasn't why he always took the opportunity to thanks those who had served this country. He did it that out of respect. He even helped organize a Northern Michigan delegation to travel to Washington D.C. for the dedication of the National World War II Memorial. That was a trip that truly meant a lot to Dave.
Dave loved to be with others. He could share a cup of coffee with just about anyone, and by the time you finished your cup you had a new friend. But his true partner, over coffee, in traveling, in life...was his loving wife Kay. The two of them truly shared a special spirit.
Dave Walker... A caring man, who's buoyant charm, insightful soul and warm smile will long live within us all.
Dave joined the 7&4 family in 1984. This February would have been his 25th anniversary with the station.
