Bruce Walker, Director of Capital Planning passes away at 47

SSU architect instrumental in developing face of campus

Always seeking new ways to improve the campus landscape, SSU senior director of capital planning Bruce R. Walker was described as both innovative and passionate.

Walker, who died last month from a heart attack suffered at his Healdsburg home, will be remembered by colleagues just as fondly for his work here at SSU as for his dedication to his family and community. He was 47.

"He had a drive that I've never seen in anybody but him," said Richard Marker, SSU director of facilities services. "He had a drive and commitment for this university that is incomparable."

Born in San Jose and raised in Texas, but with family in Healdsburg, Walker returned to his northern Californian roots in 1998 to work for SSU as project manager in capital plan, design and construction.

"He was working for an architectural firm down in Los Angeles and was coordinating a part of the [Schulz Information Center] construction for the firm," said Marker. "Everybody was so impressed with him that he was offered a job up here."

After coming on board with SSU, Walker helped with the completion of the Schulz Center before moving onto his many other projects. "There are a lot of revisions and changes to [Schulz] that have Bruce's signature on it," said Christopher Dinno, SSU project manager in capital plan, design and construction.

During Walker's time with the university, he coordinated the remodeling of Salazar and Darwin Hall as well as the development and construction of Sauvignon and Beujolais Villages, the Rec Center and the Green Music Center.

"He was a big idea guy," said Dinno. "He definitely had this vision for a lot of these projects and he just had to will them forward in ways that other campuses have not."

Marker is quick to point out that besides the large buildings, Walker had his hand in almost every facet of the campus landscape. "I had the opportunity to do a lighting walk-though a couple weeks ago and it occurred to me that everywhere I looked there was Bruce Walker."

"From parking lot lighting to street roadway configuration and small things like the information booth in the north entrance to classroom renovations, and even the amphitheatre wall - he was just enthralled with doing the architectural work on campus," said Marker.

With a degree in environmental design from Texas A&M University, Walker was a good fit for the earth-conscious SSU campus. Both Salazar Hall and the Rec Center have received awards for their energy efficiency.

"He was also instrumental in doing the energy-efficient design of the Green Music Center," said Marker. "He saved the utilities budget a whole bunch of money."

Preliminary talks have begun on a dedication ceremony in Walker's memory. "We want to think about it a little bit," said Dinno. "There will be something [dedicated], it's just that right now we want to let a little time pass."

Remembered by Dinno as "the ultimate professional," Walker's dedication to his job was only paralleled by his dedication to his family.

"Bruce had his hand in not only campus activities, but he was such a family man also," said Dinno. "He really gave his time to everybody equally and it's amazing the passion that he exuded for everything that he sunk his hands into."

"He really was a man for others."