Farewell to a Wonderful Man, A Great Father
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Just after Dr. Walker passed away, several people expressed a need to express their thoughts as part of the grieving process. Many, many others share similar sentiments and fond memories. Some found it too difficult to put into words; others simply had no idea where to start. The word “father” simply means a parent to most of us. However, the dictionary also says this individual can be described is a man who exercises paternal care over other persons, a paternal protector or provider. Dr. Michael Walker fit these descriptions very well, and he certainly cared for many people throughout his lifetime.

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From Dr. Charles Voorhis:

How to begin?  Mike Walker was my good friend. He was a kind, generous, caring and compassionate doctor, one of the best examples whom I've known. He was also one of the most insightful people I've known with an ability to sift though complex problems to get to the nitty gritty, all the time deflecting smoke screens of argument with rapier wit. He spoke softly to draw people to listen and what was heard was always worth the effort. I shall miss him and think of him often.

From Kim Goebert:

I have known Michael Walker for 20+ years. About 20 years ago I was working at Bay Medical Center on Second Central. He came by to see a patient and we started talking about it being time for supper. I told him that I was about to go back to the lounge and eat my sandwich that I had brought from home. He asked me what kind it was and I told him "baked bean". He immediately gave me his "are you nuts" look and I went on to explain to him that it was cold baked beans with Miracle Whip. I told him that they were very good and that I have eaten them since I was a kid. He said he might have to have one some day. I told him that I'd bring him one tomorrow. The next day came, and of course I brought his sandwich, but he did not come by. I believe it was a day or two later that he did come by and I gave him a hard time about not coming back for the sandwich. I had not thrown it out yet, but you can't keep a baked bean sandwich long because it gets soggy. I told him that I still had it but needed to throw it out and he insisted that I give it to him to eat. I did, but was very disappointed because it was so fresh and so good when I brought it in and now it was soggy. Anyway, the wonderful man that he was... he ate all of it. He told me that he liked it and I told him they are much better not soggy. Every time I saw him after that he told me that his wife was not too thrilled to be making baked bean sandwiches for him. Dr. Walker was a one-of-a-kind man, thankfully, but I "loved" him with all my heart. I have had the honor and privilege of working with him as well as being his friend. I have served on many committees with him; most recently as the President of the Emerald Coast Bioethics Consortium, which he founded. He and his wife, Brenda, came to my "Beary" Christmas Open House every year and he once told me that it just isn't the Christmas season until he comes to my open house. I have a couple of pieces of his pottery that he so graciously gave to me as gifts. I will cherish them always. The memories are massive and I can't even think of them all, but his wit and his sense of humor were so remarkable. He spoke very softly, but his presence was certainly known. He will be greatly missed by all... especially me.

From Sandra Masterson:

It was an extreme pleasure and a gift having known Michael Walker, MD. He was always challenging and kept me on my toes when we worked together at Bay Medical Center. I developed a particular fondness for him as a person, a co-worker and as my physician. My life was enriched by having had the honor of knowing him and sharing the little time I did with him over these past 17 years. His wit was nothing less than exceptional. He leaves us all with a void in our lives, but I envision him in heaven throwing pots while having deep discourse on an intriguing issue.

From Anna Imber:

To know Mike was to know what it is to have a friend who is always welcome in your life. He had the innate ability to reach out and touch those he met and to make an impression that had meaning far past the moment in time that was shared. This never changed from the early memories of his presence when we first moved into the medical community of Bay County twenty plus years ago to the chance visit a few weeks ago. I hope he felt the love that was in abundance far past our ability to express and that his family knows that it is extended to them in full measure. We planted this Memorial Day and it will always have an "in memory of Mike" attached to it. 

From Dr. Larry Hodson:
Photo, 1986, PRN Softball Team: Front row, L-R - Larry Hodson, Lee Walker (age 11), Mike Walker, Rusty Kovaleski, Fred Epstein / Second row, L-R - John Daly, Pete Imber, Reggie Gilbert, Ed Ollie, Rick Weddle / Back row, L-R - Steve Goodwiller, Richard Baker, Rod Morris, Warren Hitt, Mack Wilson & John Lyman

PRN has been a doctor-organized softball team for the past twenty-five years. Mike was the first coach and yes, player of this still existing team. Leadership was again his role in life and the team wanted no other. You could easily be intimidated by his intelligence, but he never made you feel less than his level. To Mike, PRN was not only about winning but about family and friends. If you want to be a better person, try to be more like Mike.

From Dr. Keith Zwingelberg:

Gwenn and I had the honor and pleasure of working with Mike both with the American Cancer Society and of course at the Hospital. Through everything, he was gracious, positive and eager to help wherever he could. His wisdom and humorous perspective on life and the happenings which make up life will be missed.

From Dr. Stephen McClellan:

Dr. Michael Walker was possessed of a keen and often acerbic wit. I will never forget a continuing education program he did some years ago for physicians. The topic was a then new anticonvulsant for epilepsy. He gave a scholarly presentation on the efficacy of the drug, the pharmacokinetic profile, and the indications. He moved on to the complications and side effects. We learned that the drug had been reported to reduce blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, suppress appetite, result in mild weight loss, engender a general sense of well being, promote hair growth and increase libido. With a straight face and serious demeanor, Mike then asked for a show of hands by audience members interested in taking the medication!

From Arlene Walter:

Mike Walker was my dear friend, my mentor, a great teacher and a gentleman! In these roles, he made a significant impact on my life and my career. As chairman of the Bay Medical Center Ethics Advisory Committee, he provided our consult teams with his expert knowledge of Advance Medical Directives and End of Life decisions. He advised and guided our medical and hospital staff, patients and their families through difficult end of life decisions. We would take our “Dog and Pony” show of Advance Medical Directives and Organ Procurement into the community to inform healthcare professionals and lay people about their rights to Advance Medical Directives. Dr. Walker founded the Bay County Ethics Consortium.  This group held an annual ethics conference sponsored by Bay Medical Center, Gulf Coast Medical Center, Gulf Coast Community College, Home Health and other healthcare agencies. Through his involvement and membership with the Florida Bioethics Network, the Bay County area was the beneficiary of renowned ethicists that he encouraged to come and participate in the conferences. He wanted the approach to Ethics to be the same throughout Bay County. The Consortium set the standard. Mike was a good human being; he touched so many lives and gave so much of himself. We have lost a giant and he will always be honored and missed.

From Pam Turnage:

I want to say that it was a privilege and an honor for me to work with Dr. Walker for 10 years. He was one of the most intelligent people that I have ever met. He was a very special person as well as a phenomenal physician. I can remember times when we would have a patient that had been ravaged by ALS or some other type of neurological disorder and he was always there for them. There were times when we would arrange for him to go by someone's house to see them when they were no longer able to get to the office.  If you were his patient, there was no doubt that you would be taken care of and taken care of well. He was not only a great boss, but a very good friend. I knew him to be honest, trustworthy and devoted to his wonderful family. I will always count it a privilege to have known and worked for him. Bay County has lost one of its finest. 

From Dr. John Wambo:

These words come to mind when I think about my friend, Mike Walker: Soft-spoken, Laconic, Punctual, Dependable, Sincere, Wise, Unpretentious, Tactful, Perceptive, Prudent, Subtle, Cautious, Gentle, Attentive, Thoughtful, Helpful, And Sensible. I shall miss him.

From Dr. Jimmie McCready:

Dr. Walker was a great influence on the success of Gulf Coast Medical Center’s ER, both professionally and personally. He was always approachable, an honest straight shooter who had the well being of the patients, doctors, and hospital as his only agenda. He spent countless hours, even when facing cancer, to do what he could to improve Gulf Coast Medical Center. He took on his illness the way he took on his responsibilities as a doctor and leader, full steam ahead. He will be missed by all of us professionally but more importantly, personally.

From Heather (McCormick) Fischer:

He was a wonderful person, and I can only imagine how much the family will miss him. I always admired and looked up to him and I have great memories of his terrific sense of humor. 

From Janice Wells:

I met Dr. Walker at the tail end of his profession of practicing neurology. At first, I was a little intimidated and knew he had a reputation of wanting the absolute best care for his patients. As the incoming Chief of Staff, I knew that he expected the same high standards for me as the medical staff coordinator, to provide the best service to the physicians and hospital. I was still new on the job, but I soon learned that Dr. Walker was a great mentor and was patient in helping me learn. He taught me not only about the job, but he became a role model for me on many levels. I was, of course, impressed by his knowledge of medicine and related administrative understanding, but he reached a much deeper place as a friend and sometimes as a father figure (even though he said he wasn't that old). Because he cared about me, he helped guide me in learning about people, getting along better with others, compromising, thinking beyond boundaries, stepping back and viewing a situation in its entirety, and knowing when to talk and when to be silent. His wisdom was unparalleled to anyone I've ever known, and I often go back to thoughts of our conversations and try to think what he would suggest in a given situation. Even though he is no longer physically here, he will always remain in my heart and in the hearts of many others. I pray for comfort for his family and many friends, as we will all feel the void of his absence. But I am glad he is now in peace and no longer suffering. I know he would not want any of the good works stopped just became he's not here, so I hope that everyone he has touched will continue to live their lives in a way that will help others. That might be volunteering, donating time, talent or money, sharing knowledge, or just being a friend. One thing I can say about Dr. Walker was that he was active and even proactive. He believed in doing whatever was necessary to do a great job and not just waiting for things to happen.