Their story began in Winnipeg in 1972. Not so fresh out of university. Bob Walker was already a working man, starting his career in an architectural firm. His roommate was dating a university girl, a fact to which Bob paid little attention — until he chanced to lock eyes with that girl’s roommate, Barbara.
“I have my story, Barb has her story,” Bob chuckles. The gist: from the moment they met they became each other’s partner in every way that mattered, still true 50 years later.
Barbara says she trusts him to make the right decisions, “in life, in his work, in everything he does.” Bob says it’s refreshing to live with someone who stands her ground, who doesn’t dance around situations. “People look up to my wife, she’s brilliant and intelligent. I lean on her to tell me what’s going on in the world.”
Those qualities define their relationship and their presence in the community. Over the years, they’ve invested in the city with the same care and intention they bring to their partnership.
They moved to Edmonton after they got married in 1975, and Bob continued working in construction, becoming the project manager for major projects, including city hall, the Re/Max baseball field, the Royal Alberta Museum and the Art Gallery of Alberta (where he is also on the board of directors). The city trusted him to see these projects through, and he excelled. He received awards, amongst them the 2012 Alberta Construction Person of the Year and the Canadian Construction Association Community Leader. As he drives around the city, he can’t help but feel pride in having helped build it.
In 1998, he joined construction company Ledcor, becoming vice-president and branch manager. It was through this company that Bob contributed to several non-profit organizations, the Newcomer Centre being one of them. He also became co-chair of its RISE (Recognizing Immigrant Success in Edmonton) Awards, alongside Barbara. “It takes someone like Bob, who has a soft heart and the organizational skills to see what’s needed and point the right people in the right direction,” Barbara says.
Seeing the struggles of immigrants inspired Bob to co-found the Alberta Immigrant Women & Children Centre in 2011 — an organization that empowers immigrant women and families. The centre offers employment, language and settlement programs that help newcomers feel at home in Edmonton. It helped more than 20,000 families last year.
Barbara promotes altruism through her work in education and various community boards. “People are what connects it all,” she says. Her 25-year teaching career contributed to shaping the city. A memorable aspect of her service on the University of Alberta senate was getting invited to convocation and seeing her former elementary students right there on stage. “There are teachers and there are teachers, those who are transformational and inspirational,” Bob says. “Barb still has students around the world who stay in touch with her, asking her to get involved, to go to their weddings.”
In the early 2000s, she volunteered for Fashion with Compassion, a fundraiser that supports Compassion House Foundation, which houses women travelling to Edmonton to receive cancer treatment. And in 2006, after years on the board, she became president of the foundation. “We tend to go merrily on our way without pausing and thinking about what others are going through,” Barbara says. “I hope the kind of care and compassion we give to these women can inspire others to help.”
Now retired, the Walkers reflect on a life dedicated to people who didn’t have the same opportunities they did. “Volunteering exposes you to what others don’t have,” Bob says. “When my friends complain about not getting the right tee time, I ask, ‘Why don’t you come visit this organization with me?’” He hopes people will reflect before complaining about their own circumstances.
Barbara sees helping as medicine for the soul. “Community to me means sharing — ideas, goods, lifestyle, joy and sorrow,” Barbara says. “Being part of a community is what we all want, it’s part of a social order.” They welcome those seeking help into a community that will show them the support they need to flourish in our city.
“We want people to live in Edmonton, to thrive in Edmonton,” Bob says. “If we can help make this city better, then the city will be better with our help.”
This article appears in the June 2026 issue of Edify
