George Herbert Walker III
George Herbert Walker III | |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 March 1931 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | 18 January 2020 (aged 88) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, diplomat, philanthropist |
| Years active | 1955–2007 |
| Known for | United States Ambassador to Hungary (2003–2006) |
George Herbert Walker III (March 16, 1931 – January 18, 2020) was a distinguished American entrepreneur, diplomat, and supporter of charitable causes. He held the position of United States Ambassador to Hungary between 2003 and 2006. Walker was closely related to prominent political figures, being a first cousin to President George H. W. Bush and a first cousin once removed to President George W. Bush as well as former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.
Early life
Walker was born in St. Louis on March 16, 1931, into a family with significant business influence. His grandfather on his father's side, George Herbert Walker, established G. H. Walker & Co., which eventually became part of the Merrill Lynch group, and served as head of W.A. Harriman Co. (currently Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.) from 1916 through 1929. His father, George Herbert Walker Jr., was instrumental in founding the New York Mets baseball franchise alongside Joan Whitney Payson.
He completed his undergraduate studies at Yale University in 1953, where he was affiliated with the secret society Skull and Bones. Subsequently, he obtained a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1955. Following his education, he fulfilled a two-year commitment in the U.S. Air Force as a staff judge advocate stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.
Career
After his military service, Walker returned to St. Louis and joined G. H. Walker & Co., later moving to Stifel Nicolaus in 1977. During his tenure as CEO, he successfully guided Stifel Nicolaus through its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange.
In the political arena, Walker sought election in Missouri's 2nd Congressional District in 1992 but was defeated in the Republican primary by State Representative Jim Talent, with a vote split of 58% to 32%.
Under President George W. Bush’s administration, he served as the United States Ambassador to Hungary from 2003 until 2006.
In 2007, Walker assumed the role of general partner at the Danube Fund, concentrating on investment ventures within Central Europe.
Philanthropy
Beginning in 1974, Walker contributed as a member of the Board of Directors at Webster University. Following a substantial donation in 2005, the university’s business school was renamed the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology in his honor.
Together with his wife Dr. Carol Walker, Ambassador Walker provided the inaugural funding for The Walker Leadership Institute at Eden Theological Seminary in 2016. This institute emphasizes leadership dedicated to the Common Good at the nexus of faith and commerce. The founding director, Reverend Steve Lawler, brings extensive experience from his roles as rector and academic faculty member, enhancing the institute’s leadership foundation.
Personal life
Walker was married to Carol Banta; they were parents to eight children and grandparents to fifteen grandchildren. His son, George Herbert Walker IV, serves as CEO of the investment management company Neuberger Berman. George Herbert Walker III died on January 19, 2020, at the age of 88.
External links
- Pages with script errors
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- 1931 births
- 2020 deaths
- Businesspeople from St. Louis
- Yale University alumni
- Harvard Law School alumni
- Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. people
- Missouri Republicans
- Ambassadors of the United States to Hungary
- Military personnel from St. Louis
- Members of Skull and Bones