Dennis Robert Walker passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, February 27, 2022 following his final of three battles with cancer. He was born July 18, 1946 in Ottumwa Iowa, to Merlin A. and Grace E. (Gardner) Walker, he was the third of three children, joining siblings Carol G. and John M. in the Locust St. Walker home.
He graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1964, having previously attended Anne G. Wilson grade school and Franklin Jr. High. While he was not a 'fan' of books or book-learning, he went on to additional education opportunities with the National School of Construction (earning the level of Operating Engineer, 1964), the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, the Iowa Peace Officer Basic Training, and eventually earned a Certification in Law Enforcement from Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs (1977).
He worked several different types of jobs prior to entering Law Enforcement, becoming a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. He remained in construction jobs for a time, operating heavy equipment in the building of Iowa roads and highways, going on to work also in the landscaping of different road-building projects. Dennis then worked at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Burlington IA for three years. Moving to Omaha NE in 1972, he began work at Pinkerton's Inc, followed by his beginning to work in the security field. His career interests began to change as he worked security at the Westroads Center, from 1973-1975, where he became intrigued by the possibilities of becoming a police officer. He began work at the Carter Lake Iowa Police Dept in 1975, remaining with them for 10 years. He later worked for both the Winterset IA Police Dept and the City of Wayland IA Police Dept. In 1995 he moved into private security work, first at Knight Security International Ltd (Omaha NE; 1995-2012), also working concurrently at the Ameristar Casino (Council Bluffs NE; 1995-2010) and Overland Armored Express of Omaha (NE) for Max Rube from 1999 through 2012.
Dennis was a proud and dedicated officer regardless of the setting, working as a police officer, police chief, and as a security officer. He took great pains in maintaining his training and was well known and appreciated for his marksmanship skills.
Upon his retirement from law enforcement, he moved back to Ottumwa IA in order to be near his brother, John, and the family home on Locust St.
He greatly enjoyed classical music, amassing an extensive collection of LPs, and also created a prized collection of Rod McKuen's works (the Beat-Era poet, musician, singer, & actor, whom he had seen in concert and was among the lucky few to meet the man in person afterward). He enjoyed spending time with friends (many of whom have now preceded him in death) and with family (some of whom have gone ahead to prepare a way for him; some of whom mourn him greatly now). He was not known for extensive travels, though readily drove from Ottumwa IA to northeast Wyoming when in 2017 his sister celebrated a 'milestone' birthday.
In addition to his love of family, he experienced two great loves in his life, though he never married.
Dennis was known by friends as "a sweet and gentle guy", and he never lost touch with his great friend and surrogate brother, Denny Brown. For some time, Dennis and Denny were the last of their childhood group of "the Musketeers", a mantle which Denny now carries alone.
Dennis was an extremely tall man who, when he was on-duty and in uniform, could become an imposing and stoic figure as a law enforcement or security officer. He was known for his ability to "talk a situation down" in order that things did not, in most cases, turn violent. He was known for his quick thinking on the job, and for his ability to 'think ahead' to outcomes and solution-building when involved in criminal cases. Dennis was also known for his prodigious memory skills, and for his loquaciousness, especially when telling of past times and past police work, as well as exploits from his boyhood with "the Musketeers."
Even with such a recent departure from us, Dennis is already greatly missed by his friends and family. He is preceded in death by his brother, John Walker, and his parents Merlin and Grace Walker. He is survived by his sister Carol Davis (Roy) of Wyoming, his "little-sister-niece" Judith Vos-Ferneau of Montana, niece Miriam Nance (Tom) of Wyoming, niece Linda Simbro (Burt) of Iowa, niece Maureen Vos of Wyoming, nephew Michael Vos of Iowa, and "best other-brother" Denny Brown (Pam) of Iowa. He will be greatly missed by "best-ever-neighbors" Gary & Dianne Kiefer of Iowa, as well.
Inurnment will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery at a time yet to be scheduled. A small private memorial and Celebration of Life gathering will held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a memorial to the American Cancer Society. Online tributes or memorials for Dennis may be left for the family here, in care of sinnottfuneralhome.com
He graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1964, having previously attended Anne G. Wilson grade school and Franklin Jr. High. While he was not a 'fan' of books or book-learning, he went on to additional education opportunities with the National School of Construction (earning the level of Operating Engineer, 1964), the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, the Iowa Peace Officer Basic Training, and eventually earned a Certification in Law Enforcement from Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs (1977).
He worked several different types of jobs prior to entering Law Enforcement, becoming a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. He remained in construction jobs for a time, operating heavy equipment in the building of Iowa roads and highways, going on to work also in the landscaping of different road-building projects. Dennis then worked at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Burlington IA for three years. Moving to Omaha NE in 1972, he began work at Pinkerton's Inc, followed by his beginning to work in the security field. His career interests began to change as he worked security at the Westroads Center, from 1973-1975, where he became intrigued by the possibilities of becoming a police officer. He began work at the Carter Lake Iowa Police Dept in 1975, remaining with them for 10 years. He later worked for both the Winterset IA Police Dept and the City of Wayland IA Police Dept. In 1995 he moved into private security work, first at Knight Security International Ltd (Omaha NE; 1995-2012), also working concurrently at the Ameristar Casino (Council Bluffs NE; 1995-2010) and Overland Armored Express of Omaha (NE) for Max Rube from 1999 through 2012.
Dennis was a proud and dedicated officer regardless of the setting, working as a police officer, police chief, and as a security officer. He took great pains in maintaining his training and was well known and appreciated for his marksmanship skills.
Upon his retirement from law enforcement, he moved back to Ottumwa IA in order to be near his brother, John, and the family home on Locust St.
He greatly enjoyed classical music, amassing an extensive collection of LPs, and also created a prized collection of Rod McKuen's works (the Beat-Era poet, musician, singer, & actor, whom he had seen in concert and was among the lucky few to meet the man in person afterward). He enjoyed spending time with friends (many of whom have now preceded him in death) and with family (some of whom have gone ahead to prepare a way for him; some of whom mourn him greatly now). He was not known for extensive travels, though readily drove from Ottumwa IA to northeast Wyoming when in 2017 his sister celebrated a 'milestone' birthday.
In addition to his love of family, he experienced two great loves in his life, though he never married.
Dennis was known by friends as "a sweet and gentle guy", and he never lost touch with his great friend and surrogate brother, Denny Brown. For some time, Dennis and Denny were the last of their childhood group of "the Musketeers", a mantle which Denny now carries alone.
Dennis was an extremely tall man who, when he was on-duty and in uniform, could become an imposing and stoic figure as a law enforcement or security officer. He was known for his ability to "talk a situation down" in order that things did not, in most cases, turn violent. He was known for his quick thinking on the job, and for his ability to 'think ahead' to outcomes and solution-building when involved in criminal cases. Dennis was also known for his prodigious memory skills, and for his loquaciousness, especially when telling of past times and past police work, as well as exploits from his boyhood with "the Musketeers."
Even with such a recent departure from us, Dennis is already greatly missed by his friends and family. He is preceded in death by his brother, John Walker, and his parents Merlin and Grace Walker. He is survived by his sister Carol Davis (Roy) of Wyoming, his "little-sister-niece" Judith Vos-Ferneau of Montana, niece Miriam Nance (Tom) of Wyoming, niece Linda Simbro (Burt) of Iowa, niece Maureen Vos of Wyoming, nephew Michael Vos of Iowa, and "best other-brother" Denny Brown (Pam) of Iowa. He will be greatly missed by "best-ever-neighbors" Gary & Dianne Kiefer of Iowa, as well.
Inurnment will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery at a time yet to be scheduled. A small private memorial and Celebration of Life gathering will held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a memorial to the American Cancer Society. Online tributes or memorials for Dennis may be left for the family here, in care of sinnottfuneralhome.com
Dennis Robert Walker passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, February 27, 2022 following his final of three battles with cancer. He was born July 18, 1946 in Ottumwa Iowa, to Merlin A. and Grace E. (Gardner) Walker, he was the third of three children, joining siblings Carol G. and John M. in the Locust St. Walker home.
He graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1964, having previously attended Anne G. Wilson grade school and Franklin Jr. High. While he was not a 'fan' of books or book-learning, he went on to additional education opportunities with the National School of Construction (earning the level of Operating Engineer, 1964), the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, the Iowa Peace Officer Basic Training, and eventually earned a Certification in Law Enforcement from Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs (1977).
He worked several different types of jobs prior to entering Law Enforcement, becoming a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. He remained in construction jobs for a time, operating heavy equipment in the building of Iowa roads and highways, going on to work also in the landscaping of different road-building projects. Dennis then worked at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Burlington IA for three years. Moving to Omaha NE in 1972, he began work at Pinkerton's Inc, followed by his beginning to work in the security field. His career interests began to change as he worked security at the Westroads Center, from 1973-1975, where he became intrigued by the possibilities of becoming a police officer. He began work at the Carter Lake Iowa Police Dept in 1975, remaining with them for 10 years. He later worked for both the Winterset IA Police Dept and the City of Wayland IA Police Dept. In 1995 he moved into private security work, first at Knight Security International Ltd (Omaha NE; 1995-2012), also working concurrently at the Ameristar Casino (Council Bluffs NE; 1995-2010) and Overland Armored Express of Omaha (NE) for Max Rube from 1999 through 2012.
Dennis was a proud and dedicated officer regardless of the setting, working as a police officer, police chief, and as a security officer. He took great pains in maintaining his training and was well known and appreciated for his marksmanship skills.
Upon his retirement from law enforcement, he moved back to Ottumwa IA in order to be near his brother, John, and the family home on Locust St.
He greatly enjoyed classical music, amassing an extensive collection of LPs, and also created a prized collection of Rod McKuen's works (the Beat-Era poet, musician, singer, & actor, whom he had seen in concert and was among the lucky few to meet the man in person afterward). He enjoyed spending time with friends (many of whom have now preceded him in death) and with family (some of whom have gone ahead to prepare a way for him; some of whom mourn him greatly now). He was not known for extensive travels, though readily drove from Ottumwa IA to northeast Wyoming when in 2017 his sister celebrated a 'milestone' birthday.
In addition to his love of family, he experienced two great loves in his life, though he never married.
Dennis was known by friends as "a sweet and gentle guy", and he never lost touch with his great friend and surrogate brother, Denny Brown. For some time, Dennis and Denny were the last of their childhood group of "the Musketeers", a mantle which Denny now carries alone.
Dennis was an extremely tall man who, when he was on-duty and in uniform, could become an imposing and stoic figure as a law enforcement or security officer. He was known for his ability to "talk a situation down" in order that things did not, in most cases, turn violent. He was known for his quick thinking on the job, and for his ability to 'think ahead' to outcomes and solution-building when involved in criminal cases. Dennis was also known for his prodigious memory skills, and for his loquaciousness, especially when telling of past times and past police work, as well as exploits from his boyhood with "the Musketeers."
Even with such a recent departure from us, Dennis is already greatly missed by his friends and family. He is preceded in death by his brother, John Walker, and his parents Merlin and Grace Walker. He is survived by his sister Carol Davis (Roy) of Wyoming, his "little-sister-niece" Judith Vos-Ferneau of Montana, niece Miriam Nance (Tom) of Wyoming, niece Linda Simbro (Burt) of Iowa, niece Maureen Vos of Wyoming, nephew Michael Vos of Iowa, and "best other-brother" Denny Brown (Pam) of Iowa. He will be greatly missed by "best-ever-neighbors" Gary & Dianne Kiefer of Iowa, as well.
Inurnment will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery at a time yet to be scheduled. A small private memorial and Celebration of Life gathering will held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a memorial to the American Cancer Society. Online tributes or memorials for Dennis may be left for the family here, in care of sinnottfuneralhome.com
He graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1964, having previously attended Anne G. Wilson grade school and Franklin Jr. High. While he was not a 'fan' of books or book-learning, he went on to additional education opportunities with the National School of Construction (earning the level of Operating Engineer, 1964), the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, the Iowa Peace Officer Basic Training, and eventually earned a Certification in Law Enforcement from Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs (1977).
He worked several different types of jobs prior to entering Law Enforcement, becoming a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. He remained in construction jobs for a time, operating heavy equipment in the building of Iowa roads and highways, going on to work also in the landscaping of different road-building projects. Dennis then worked at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Burlington IA for three years. Moving to Omaha NE in 1972, he began work at Pinkerton's Inc, followed by his beginning to work in the security field. His career interests began to change as he worked security at the Westroads Center, from 1973-1975, where he became intrigued by the possibilities of becoming a police officer. He began work at the Carter Lake Iowa Police Dept in 1975, remaining with them for 10 years. He later worked for both the Winterset IA Police Dept and the City of Wayland IA Police Dept. In 1995 he moved into private security work, first at Knight Security International Ltd (Omaha NE; 1995-2012), also working concurrently at the Ameristar Casino (Council Bluffs NE; 1995-2010) and Overland Armored Express of Omaha (NE) for Max Rube from 1999 through 2012.
Dennis was a proud and dedicated officer regardless of the setting, working as a police officer, police chief, and as a security officer. He took great pains in maintaining his training and was well known and appreciated for his marksmanship skills.
Upon his retirement from law enforcement, he moved back to Ottumwa IA in order to be near his brother, John, and the family home on Locust St.
He greatly enjoyed classical music, amassing an extensive collection of LPs, and also created a prized collection of Rod McKuen's works (the Beat-Era poet, musician, singer, & actor, whom he had seen in concert and was among the lucky few to meet the man in person afterward). He enjoyed spending time with friends (many of whom have now preceded him in death) and with family (some of whom have gone ahead to prepare a way for him; some of whom mourn him greatly now). He was not known for extensive travels, though readily drove from Ottumwa IA to northeast Wyoming when in 2017 his sister celebrated a 'milestone' birthday.
In addition to his love of family, he experienced two great loves in his life, though he never married.
Dennis was known by friends as "a sweet and gentle guy", and he never lost touch with his great friend and surrogate brother, Denny Brown. For some time, Dennis and Denny were the last of their childhood group of "the Musketeers", a mantle which Denny now carries alone.
Dennis was an extremely tall man who, when he was on-duty and in uniform, could become an imposing and stoic figure as a law enforcement or security officer. He was known for his ability to "talk a situation down" in order that things did not, in most cases, turn violent. He was known for his quick thinking on the job, and for his ability to 'think ahead' to outcomes and solution-building when involved in criminal cases. Dennis was also known for his prodigious memory skills, and for his loquaciousness, especially when telling of past times and past police work, as well as exploits from his boyhood with "the Musketeers."
Even with such a recent departure from us, Dennis is already greatly missed by his friends and family. He is preceded in death by his brother, John Walker, and his parents Merlin and Grace Walker. He is survived by his sister Carol Davis (Roy) of Wyoming, his "little-sister-niece" Judith Vos-Ferneau of Montana, niece Miriam Nance (Tom) of Wyoming, niece Linda Simbro (Burt) of Iowa, niece Maureen Vos of Wyoming, nephew Michael Vos of Iowa, and "best other-brother" Denny Brown (Pam) of Iowa. He will be greatly missed by "best-ever-neighbors" Gary & Dianne Kiefer of Iowa, as well.
Inurnment will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery at a time yet to be scheduled. A small private memorial and Celebration of Life gathering will held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a memorial to the American Cancer Society. Online tributes or memorials for Dennis may be left for the family here, in care of sinnottfuneralhome.com
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
