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I met Bob in his prime, as I was starting. Bob had the good sense, as CEO of a second-tier Christian publishing company, to hire another vigorous Bob (Robert Webber, PhD, historical theology) as his acquisitions editor. The second Bob knew me as a student and aspirant, introduced me to the first Bob, and I coauthored a book for Creation House. First contracts are a rush. Indeed, I was thrilled.

The book sold pretty well, but royalties remained unpaid. After the requisite waiting period, this newbie author, together with his newbie coauthor, teamed up for one of those all-or-nothing visits, the big gamble. We asked for an appointment with Mr. Bob Walker — Mr. Christian Life, Mr. Creation House — and we told him at noonday that we had come for our money. Without a royalty check, we would like not to leave his spartan building. Would he cut a check … please?

Did those intimidating bushy eyebrows bristle? We authors were too fidgety to notice, as I recall. Yet without hesitation, a treasurer was dispatched and the check was presented. No big deal. Bob Walker may have covered the amount out of his own funds, for all I know.

Later, on a second try, Bob championed a proposal through a hardcore marketing review and published despite contrary advice. That book did well, too. I was in his debt.

Now at his passing, I discover from his list of accomplishments what he might have told me long ago. He might have said, "Listen young man, I've been around this business a lot longer than you have, met some pretty heavy sluggers, created more startups than you know, and dismantled a few that you've never heard of, and your talent is more middle-of-the-pack than you'd care to think." Or he might have said worse the day I declined to help rewrite into book form a series of sermons from one of favorite charismatic preachers because, I ventured, those sermons departed from Reformational commentaries at strategic doctrinal points.

But he was too much of a gentleman for that.

Bob Walker just kept trying, innovating, and starting-up, gathering the best people he could to expand the kingdom and the business, not caring particularly much if someone on the right or left lodged a criticism or felt his magazines were too this or that. He commanded respect. His life was discipleship, his visage unforgettable. God blessed the Spirit-power that surrounded him.

Mark Fackler is professor of communications at Calvin College and co-editor of Popular Religious Magazine of the United States.

Copyright © 2008 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Chicago Tribune , Christian Life Missions, Evangelical Press Association, and Charisma also have obituaries for Walker.

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March (Web-only) 2008, Vol. 52