Robert "Bob" Walters

On Jan. 28, 2019, Robert L. “Bob” Walters departed this life in Chattanooga, Tenn. He was a devoted member of the First Christian Church of Rockwood, Tenn., where he was an Elder Emeritus. Bob was born on Aug. 14, 1926, in Des Moines, Iowa to parents Oscar and Elin Walters. After completing public school in Des Moines, Bob entered the U.S. Army and served a tour of duty in Occupied Japan. Upon returning to civilian life, Bob completed his college work at Drake University in Des Moines and in 1950 received his Bachelors of Arts Degree with a Journalism Major. After graduation from college, he was reenlisted into the Army where he served in the Korean Conflict as a writer of Command Logistics history. Upon returning to civilian life once again, he enrolled in the Drake University Law School from which he graduated with a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1955. Bob took a position in the Securities Department with the State of Iowa and served as the Superintendent of Securities until 1965. While at Drake he met Jo Ann Pike, the love of his life whom he married in 1958. He accepted employment as an attorney in the Civic Affairs Department of the NY Stock Exchange. During this time, they had their eldest son Eric in 1965. The family remained in the New York City area until 1968 when Bob was given the opportunity to join a newly formed company, Provident National Assurance Company with headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. Upon returning to Iowa, Bob became the Vice president of Securities Law Compliance and held this position until the company was sold to Provident Life Insurance Company in 1976. By this time Bob and Jo had added 2 more children to the mix, Lark and Andrew. Family was most important to Bob. Every employment opportunity took place with consideration of his family. He was proud of each of his children and always included them in his daily prayers of “let them be healthy, happy and gainfully employed”. Bob and family moved to Chattanooga and established a new home in the deep south. Bob became Assistant General Service in the law department of the parent company. Bob remained in this position until 1990 when he retired. Retirement became a wonderful time when Bob and Jo decided to build a home on Watts Bar Lake near Rockwood, Tenn. In this home, 60 miles from Chattanooga, they enjoyed 15 years of beautiful, quiet, scenic rural life until returning to Chattanooga in 2016. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Jo, their three children Eric (Renee), Lark and Andrew; his two grandchildren Kaitlyn and Andrew (Jessica) and two great-grandchildren Lauryn and Landen. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. with Funeral Service to follow on Friday Feb. 1, 2019, at First Christian Church in Rockwood, Tenn. Interment will be immediately after at Oak Grove Cemetery in Rockwood, TN. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Christian Church Rockwood at 328 W. Rockwood St, Rockwood, TN 37854. Arrangements entrusted to: Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37415, (423) 877-3524, www.lanefh.com