Walker, R. Christopher

R. Christopher Walker, 56, of 3590 Cottage Grove Ave. SE, died Friday, Nov. 18, 2011, at his home. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Monday at All Saints Catholic Church. The Rev. David O'Connor will officiate. Inurnment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, where there will be a vigil service at 2 p.m.

Survivors include his wife, Jean; a daughter, Madeline; his mother, Joann Walker; two sisters, Cindy (Dennis) Nodorft and Patty Walker; and a brother, Michael (Gretchen).

He was preceded in death by his father.

Chris was born in Des Moines, Iowa on Sept. 13, 1955, to Robert and Joann Walker. He married Jean Walker on Aug. 24, 1985. They were blessed with their daughter, Madeline, on Feb. 11, 1996.

Chris was a devoted father and husband who liked fly fishing and vacations with his family. Chris was a talented musician and loved jamming on the guitar with friends. He helped form the band Abandoned Road and played several gigs, the most recent being at the Chris Walker Lovefest at Theatre Cedar Rapids in August. He was a member of All Saints Catholic Church.

Chris earned his B.S. degree at the University of Iowa. He was vice president of sales, GreatAmerica Leasing Corporation (1997-present). He served in various sales and business development positions in a number of units within GreatAmerica since joining in June 1997. He worked in financing at GE Capital (1990-1997), and at LeaseAmerica before that (1979-1990).

Chris was an accomplished professional in the finance world. He attended an industry event in mid-September in Minneapolis - the NEFA (National Equipment Finance Association), where he was honored with a special “NEFA Member of the Year” award. In November, NAELB President Bud Callahan, CLP, BPB, announced that the board of directors of NAELB granted the prestigious Bill Granieri Award to Chris Walker, CLP, in recognition of his many years of service to the equipment leasing industry and to the equipment lease broker community.

In Cedar Rapids, Chris was devoted to the performing arts and charitable organizations. He served on the boards of Foundation 2, Theatre Cedar Rapids and SPT Theatre. He was also on the board of United Association of Equipment Lessors, president of the CLP Foundation's board of directors and a director of the National Equipment Finance Association.

Chris saw music ... and life ... as a rich fabric that was woven of so many threads to create a pleasing tapestry, a tapestry where he would propose new threads which promised new discoveries. His life was that way as well, and he saw every day as a new opportunity to spread a good word or share something humorous.

The family would like to thank all of the wonderful words of encouragement that helped buoy Chris's spirits as he fought the last six months.

A memorial fund has been established.

Please leave a message or tribute to the Walker family on the Web page,    under Obituaries.

Published Nov. 19, 2011, in The Gazette