In loving memory of Joseph Walker - Obituary Baldwin Brothers

Obituary

WALKER—Joseph Anthony, 78, passed away peacefully on May 29, 2025 at his home in Fort Myers, FL due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease.

He is best remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, and as a lifelong teacher who positively affected the lives of many central Pennsylvania students studying advanced calculus, general mathematics, and education.

Joe was born on December 13, 1946 in Carbondale, PA to Joseph J. and Clare (Coon) Walker, and he grew up in Mechanicsburg, where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and was always an active and caring big brother. Joe started a newspaper route at age 8; this became a Walker family franchise in which all five of his younger brothers participated for the next twenty years. Baptized without a middle name, he chose the name “Anthony” at his confirmation in order to be ahead of his father in the phone book, he used to joke. He was a graduate of Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg, PA, and Shippensburg University, B.S. Mathematics and M.Ed.

Joe, “Mr. Walker,” began teaching high school math at Cumberland Valley High School (CVHS) in Mechanicsburg, PA when he was 20 years old, where he stayed until retiring at age 51, when he found himself teaching the grandchildren of some of his first students. Mr. Walker wore a suit every day, taking pride in his professionalism, which inspired his students to take pride in their work, as well. His signature teaching style included the “big project”––in which the requirement for students to pair up and present their Calculus answers creatively resulted in anything from answers hidden in gingerbread houses to presentations by belly dancers to answers written on the roof of the school––and the reward of fabled stories only those enrolled in his class were privy to. This created a culture of math-lovers at CVHS that was widely renowned. For his efforts, he was nominated as Pennsylvania’s Teacher of the Year in 1986, enjoyed accolades from his principals and fellow teachers, and inspired many students at CVHS to love math, whether they pursued it in their future careers or not. He was also known to inspire students about the value of education in general and was always available to offer extra help before school. Mr. Walker stated he was teaching his students to think in ways that would not only help them in math but also benefit their lives.

While at Cumberland Valley, Joe became “Coach Walker,” head coach of the varsity girls’ basketball team. In one season he turned a poor record into a winning one; after his time there, the program he helped to shape went on to become PIAA State Champions. He loved his years coaching and along with talented assistant coaches created structured practices that helped his players to be their best––and during high intensity moments in games Coach could be seen leaping off the bench and clapping. One former player remarked on “the genius within his eyes. He was always a step ahead.” He continued coaching basketball at Elizabethtown College after retiring, where Joe instructed in math education those who would become public school teachers like him. His students seem to be everywhere; a few weeks ago, his children ran into one of his former students at his grandson’s little league game in Seattle! “He taught me how to be a teacher,” she said. Whether in the role of Mr. Walker, Coach Walker, or Professor Walker,

Joe taught his students how to be great leaders and teammates and good citizens who contribute to a positive community.

Joe fulfilled a lifelong dream of living in the warm climate of Florida and retired to Fort Myers in 2008, where in 2013 he met his loving and devoted partner, Trish Merendino Sturm. He was proud of his three children and had reported recently that, being happy with where his kids were in their lives, he felt satisfied. He also loved his five grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them at Lake Meade, Seattle, in Florida, and at Elk Lake. Elk Lake is a cherished place in the Poconos that has been central to the Walker family for generations, and Joe started going there as a child with his grandparents, parents, and brothers; he waterskied on Elk Lake in each decade of his life. A highlight of his retirement was a cruise in 2017, when Joe took the entire family to Alaska. Despite his dislike of cold climates, he cherished the memories of time together from that trip. Joe was predeceased by his father, Joseph Walker; his mother, Clare Walker; and his wife, B. Jean Walker, who passed away in 2007. He is survived by his loving partner of twelve years, Trish; his sons and daughters-in-law, Joe Walker and Paula Rowson of Alexandria, VA and Chris and Devan Walker of Seattle, WA; his daughter and son-in-law, Jeanine Walker and Steve Mauer of Seattle, WA; his five grandchildren, Rachael, Josh, Grace, Vivienne, and Callaghan; his five younger brothers and sisters-in-law, Bill and Nancy Walker, Mark and Lorie Walker, Pat and Sue Walker, Steve and Tammy Walker, all of Pennsylvania, and Don and Sofia Walker of Texas; Trish’s sons and daughter-in-law, Joe and Holly Sturm, Michael Sturm, and Greg Sturm and their children; his stepsons Blake Jason Henry and Matt Henry and their families; as well as his many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, whose birthdays Uncle Joe always remembered with a card. He was the eldest of the family, and the Walker family will not be the same without him; he was beloved and will remain so.

A service will be held on June 2 at 1 p.m. at Amavida Living. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 20 at the Monroe Township Building: 1220 Boiling Springs Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. Please join us for a visitation from 1:00 – 3:00; a private family ceremony will follow from 3:00 – 4:30. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org.