|
Robert "Bob" Leonard Walsh, 66, of Harrisonburg, died Jan. 12, 2010, at Harrisonburg, Va.
Bob was born July 6, 1943, in Kansas City, Mo., a son of Jerry L. and Erma L. Martin Walsh. He was preceded in death by his mother a nd father, an infant brother, James Joseph, a son-in-law, John A. Hornick, and granddaughter, Grace Isabella Hornick.
He graduated from Bishop Miege High School in the Kansas City area in 1960 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Kansas in 1965.
Bob's sales and marketing management career covered over 31 years. He started working for Continental Baking Co.'s Wonder Bread division for summer employment while in high school. After graduating from college, he joined their Hostess Cake division, working in sales and sales management in the Southern California and Arizona markets. In 1972, Bob joined Frito-Lay's headquarters in Dallas, Texas, innovating and managing specialized programs for their customers. During the next 12 years, he was promoted to division sales manager and was based in three separate locations - Denver, Omaha, Neb., and Philadelphia.
From 1984 to 1987, Walsh was national director of sales for Berol Corp., an office and art supplies company in Danbury, Conn. In 1987, he moved to Harrisonburg as vice president of sales and marketing for Rocco Inc., prior to Cargill's purchase of the firm. After serving as senior vice president of sales and marketing for Watson Quality Foods, he returned to the Valley in 1996 and began a new career in real estate with Century 21 Real Estate Unlimited.
Bob found that real estate was his true passion and wished he had gone into real estate earlier. He enjoyed making real estate transactions simple and low-stress for clients. Real estate allowed him to help his clients fulfill their needs whether buying or selling. Bob was especially proud of being able to have contributed to fully developing a partner to ensure the successful handling of his former clients' future real estate needs. Bob also enjoyed working with his wife, Mary Ann, serving as senior vice president of her firm, Walsh Grafx, LLC, a full-service print and electronic media communications firm.
On June 6, 1964, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann Ruysser Walsh, who survives. He is also survived by a son, Christopher Patrick Walsh and Germaine Nguyen of Woodland Hills, Calif.; and three daughters, Julia Elise Walsh Hornick, Elizabeth Ann "Lisa" Walsh and Ann Michelle and her husband, Jay Brown, all of Harrisonburg; two grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth and Ryan Edward Boloix of Harrisonburg; and Germaine's daughters, Natasha and Chantal Vo of California.
Bob's career provided personal opportunities to travel to many parts of the United States and to international locations. Bob thoroughly enjoyed traveling and vacationing with Mary Ann and his family. He especially loved visiting Emerald Isle, N.C., Costa Rica and Hawaii. In addition to reading and watching sports, Bob enjoyed spending his free time having fun with family members.
He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and participated in church and community organization volunteer groups over the years. He was a loyal Philadelphia Eagles fan, developing a close relationship with the Eagles when he joined the board of directors for "Eagles Fly for Leukemia" in the late 1970s. "Eagles Fly for Leukemia" has supported pediatric cancer and leukemia helping world-renowned scientists in their quest for a cure by donating over $6 million to this cause.
Viewing will be at Kyger Funeral Home Harrisonburg, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and also at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., with Mass of Christian Burial at Blessed Sacrament to follow. Interment for the family is Saturday, Jan. 16, Eastlawn Cemetery, 10 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1920-H Medical Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kygers.com.
|
