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Daniel Walker Obituary

Walker, Daniel 92, of Chula Vista, CA, 36th Governor of the State of Illinois from 1973 to 1977. He graduated from the US Naval Academy and served as a Naval Officer in WWII and the Korean War. He was a graduate of Northwestern Law School. He served as law clerk to Chief Justice F. Vinson of the US Supreme Court. He was devoted to government service, including being President of the Chicago Crime Commission; Director of the Illinois Public Aid Commission; President of the Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation; Founder and President of the Commission on Illinois Government and the Democratic Federation of Illinois; and recipient of the Roger Baldwin Distinguished Community Service Award (ACLU). He authored Rights in Conflict, a report on the 1968 Democratic National Convention, and 8 other books. He was an Administrative Assistant to Governor Adlai Stevenson, a trial lawyer, Vice President and General Counsel of Montgomery Ward, and adjunct law professor at Loyola, Northwestern and American Universities. He is survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Lillian Stewart; 7 children, Kathleen, Daniel, Julie, Roberta, Charles, Margaret, and Will; 22 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and brother, Lewis. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Roberta D. Walker, the mother of his 7 children. A Celebration of his Life will be held on Sunday, June 7 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Lake Bluff Golf Club, 355 W. Washington Ave., Lake Bluff, IL 60044. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or Father Joe's Villages at www.my.neighbor.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on May 10, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
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4 Entries

Sue Sodini

May 23, 2015

I met Dan Walker in Duluth while visiting my husband who knew him. I met Dan Walker in Duluth while visiting my husband. Ray shared histories of the Governor with me. After my husband's death Dan and I had written contact and shared thoughts about his book and our histories. I consider it a great honor to have met him and had this discourse albeit short with him and am truly, truly sorry. My deepest
sympathy is extended to all of his family

Sue Wolff

May 14, 2015

Governor Walker and I had a special communication at a certain time in his life. We actually wrote letters to each other. I learned a lot about his views on life and the world. This memory will always be close to me. Learned a lot. The Guv will be missed. xoxo

Sue Wolff

May 14, 2015

Governor Walker and I communicated at a certain time in his life. It was when we actually wrote letters. I was fortunate to gain an insight on his views about the world we live in. I learned a lot and will always remember and treasure our chats. xoxo. Sue Wolff

Evan Miller

May 11, 2015

Dan has a profound impact on my life . we have considered one another close friends possibly best friends for a quarter century and it was apparently his wish that be with him at the end saying "thank you for all you have done, there is only one word for what you are : friend" also dan had a final visit with our mural friend Tim Threw and his devoted wife lily, I took the attached photograph a few days before the end telling Dan I was a pretty good photographer. He took a long look and said yes you are this picture tells it all. His final book is to be published next year and it promises to have widespread circulation.

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Memorial Events
for Daniel Walker

Jun

7

Celebration of Life

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Lake Bluff Golf Club

355 W. Washington Ave., Lake Bluff, IL

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