“Think like a geographer.”
That’s the advice you’ll get from Dr. Bob Walter, PhD’68. Think broadly, as all geographers must—past this week’s assignment for class, past the courses you might sign up for next semester. What do you care about? How can you turn your skill set into a career?
For Dr. Walter (hereafter ‘Bob’), a long career in Geography started to take shape as he began his graduate studies at UW–Madison in 1961. Coming into his graduate program, Bob was interested in a traditional geographic education, but after he got involved in the expanding African Studies program and received a scholarship to study Swahili, his work shifted. Encouraged by Professors Richard Hartshorne and Fred Simoons, Bob completed a dissertation in political geography, focusing on the newly independent Kenya. Bob also became fascinated by the study of storytelling, genealogy, and naming systems. These interests would guide his career in the public sector and as a professor.
Following graduation, Dr. Walter accepted a position at Ohio University. He helped build their geography department as well as their African Studies program. He served as chair of the department for many years, balancing his responsibilities with his passion for field work. Bob led many international initiatives, including a project that brought ten students to Kenya, and another that created the first population census enumeration districts in Belize. Outside of academia, Bob also worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE). In commenting on his long career, Bob appreciates the impact that these experiences had on his life and career as a geographer.
Bob is beyond grateful for his education at UW-Madison and is continuously impressed with the research and faculty on campus. He attributes many of his passions and skills to collaboration among students and professors in Madison. Having a network of Badger geographers has also been a bonus for Bob.
Bob has been a generous supporter of UW Geography for many years. We’re thankful for his many contributions to our department and to the discipline of Geography as a whole. Most of all, we’re grateful for the example he set for our students—that geography, and the skills you acquire with a geography education, can take you anywhere.
