David Rudger Walker

David Rudger Walker, 86, passed away on August 27, 2016, in Logan, Utah. He was born in Ames, Iowa, on September 15, 1929, the first child of Rudger Harper and Fawn Lucile Davies Walker. The Walker family moved to Logan, where David graduated from Logan High School in 1947. He married Janee’ Smith in 1948, and they have spent 68 years together.
David studied horticulture at Utah State University and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees before age 23. With three young sons David and Janee’ moved to Ithaca, New York, where he received his Ph.D. at Cornell University in 1954. He completed additional training at the Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies. David then worked as a professor of agriculture at North Carolina State University in Raleigh until returning to Logan in 1960.
David began his career as a professor at USU, enjoying teaching and research with students and faculty until his 1993 retirement. During a year-long sabbatical in 1967-68, he served as Principal Horticulturist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. This work entailed evaluating horticulture departments throughout the country. David was honored for his hard work when he received the 1988 Faculty Advisor of the Year award at the USU Robins Awards ceremony. He also received the Professor of the Year award by the International Students Association. His peers elected him as a Fellow in the American Society for Horticultural Science and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
David joined the military at age 18 and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 41 years of service in the U.S. Army Reserve. The soldiers under his command in the local Engineer Supply and Service Company admired his leadership and enjoyed their service with him. Former members of the unit often spoke of their love for him as a leader, and he shared the same feelings for them.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, David served twice in branch presidencies, as an Elders Quorum President, and in many other stake and ward callings. He especially enjoyed teaching the Gospel Doctrine class and serving as the High Priest Group instructor.
David is survived by his wife, Janee’, and their children: Brent (Rocelyn Flores), Sandy, Utah; Steven, San Diego, California; Ralph (Marsha Milligan), Highlands Ranch, Colorado; Karen (David) Petersen, Providence; Jan Jardine, Millville; Keith (Patti Lindquist), Logan; Jill Smith, Logan; Jennifer (Matthew) Hyde, Logan; Craig (Amanda Stolworthy), Logan; and Amy (David) Astle, Portland, Oregon. Their family includes 41 grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren. He also leaves four siblings: Diana Lee (Richard, deceased), Julia (Clair) Hopkins, John (Elizabeth, and Sharon, deceased), and Gordon (Carlene). David has been welcomed home by his parents and a grandson, David Curtis Walker.
The family offers sincere thanks to the nurses and assistants from Community Nursing Services Hospice Care for their kindness and help.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 3, 2016, at the Logan 5th Ward, 502 East 300 North in Logan. The family will greet friends at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street, on Friday, September 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and prior to the funeral at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Graveside services with military honors will follow at the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences may be shared with the family at allenmortuaries.net.