A Remembrance
I first met Bert Walker during the fall of 1979. That year, I hosted a fundraiser at my house on Westminster in the Central West End for George H. W. Bush who was running for President in the Republican primary. I also met John Bush, Bert’s first cousin, representing his brother. Shortly after Bush lost the primary to Ronald Reagan in May of 1980, Bert asked me to join Stifel, Nicolaus where he was serving as President. I accepted and joined Stifel in October, 1980.
After several acquisitions and some organic growth, under Bert’s leadership, Stifel Nicolaus went public in 1983, one of the most important events in Stifel’s 130-year history in St. Louis. During the 1980’s Stifel continued to grow with Bert as CEO. At the same time, Bert’s first cousin, George H. W. Bush was serving as Vice-President in the Reagan Administration. In fact, Bert’s long-time summer, family home in Maine, known as Walker Point, became quite famous when Bert graciously sold it to Vice-President Bush who turned it into a second White House.
During those days, I have a vivid memory of visiting Kennebunkport, at Bert’s invitation, one August. Bert was a very competitive sportsman, particularly in golf, which should be no surprise as he was the grandson of the founder of the Walker Cup. So, we played Cape Arundel, a venerable golf club in Kennebunkport. As I walked up the 7th hole, I spotted several furtive figures crouching behind bushes with wires in their ears. Before I could ask Bert what was happening, over the horizon on the adjacent hole, strode/ran Vice-President Bush in swift pursuit of his golf ball. This was my introduction to the famous Bush 1 1⁄2 hour speed golf game.
Bert delighted in giving me a tour of the family retreats in Kennebunkport. This was very natural as Bert loved family, his own and his extended one. He was loyal, supportive and always present. Bert loved politics, public service and meeting people. So, it seemed totally natural that Bert would accept the invitation of President Bush (43) to serve as United States Ambassador to Hungary. On a beautiful day in Washington, D.C. in 2003, my wife and I approached the State Department, proud recipients of an invitation to attend Bert’s swearing-in ceremony. Along with other St. Louisans, we took our seats on the gorgeous and historic 7th floor and awaited the start of the program. To my right, a dear friend who headed the Washington Bureau of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, leaned over and whispered that something unusual was happening. He said that the Secretary of State never conducts a swearing-in ceremony as this function is handled by assistants. At that moment, out walked General Colin Powell, Secretary of State, who proceeded to make some powerful remarks about his own experience with Hungary and his long friendship with Bert Walker. All of us were overwhelmed. While we were aware that Bert knew General Powell, no one had any idea that any of this would happen. That day in the nation’s capital, I thought: this is vintage Bert Walker; he never makes a fuss about himself and usually deflects attention to others. I will sorely miss him.