Paul (Randy) Walker Obituary (1938 - 2009)

Paul Randy Walker, 70, passed away at home Thursday, January 15 after a brief illness.Born in Rumford Maine on Christmas day in 1938, he was the son of the late Bernice and Bernard Walker. Randy grew up in Saco and graduated from Cheverus High School in 1956. He continued his education at Boston College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960. He attained a masters degree from Gorham State College and his Doctorate of Education from University of Maine in Orono.After college, Randy taught English at Biddeford High School from 1960-1967, where he developed an innovative team-teaching program and was very proud of his participation in the development of the Biddeford Tigers football team as they moved from Class C to a very competive Class A powerhouse.Randy felt passionately about the importance of education and was a real pioneer in educational thinking. He was ahead of time in terms of recognizing and understanding learning disabilities in children, and dedicated his full professional life to improving the educational system in this country. After Earning his doctorate in 1970, he became a graduate professor and department chairman at the University of Southern Maine, as well as the Director of Maine Teacher Corps. In 1975, he moved his family to Bellingham, Washington where he served as the Executive Director of the Far West Teachers Corps, an urban and rural Federal Teacher education project. In 1985, back in Maine, he answered the call of the 1984 Education Reform Act to create the Maine Educational Assesment Test as Director of Assesment for the Department of Education. We're looking at higher thinking skills, the reasoning process, to help school systems make changes and assess student achievement. He eventually became Director of Adult Education. His last position was Educational and Policy Director for the State Department of Education. He retired in 2001, after working for the Brennan, Mckernan and King administrations.He was an avid reader, a sports enthusiast and into the Talking Heads and politics. His family has lost their dictionary because Randy could always define any word they needed. The Red Sox have lost a true fan. One of his recent highlights was to attend game 7 of the American League Championship series of 2003 and 2004 at Yankee stadium, rooting for his beloved Red Sox. His other sports love was anything Boston College, his alma mater.Randy married his life long companion Sally Stearns in 1963 in Rumford Maine. They raised three children Sharon, Gregory and Audrey. He was predeceased by his parents, brother-in-law Richard LeClair and his sister in-law Fay Stearns. He is survived by his wife, his daughter, Sharon Walker and her husband, Sean Epps, his son, Greg and his wife, Brandi, and his daughter Audrey Gagne and her husband, Steve. He was the devoted grandfather to five grandchildren, Elizabeth, Deven, Spencer, Ian and Madelin. He also leaves behind his only sister, Joyce Walker LeClair and many nieces and nephews along with the Stearns siblings, Natalie and George Wilson, Tim Stearns, Rete and Claire Stearns and Vicky and Ron Lessa and all of their families.Many thanks for the wonderful and sensitive treatment at the Alfond Cancer Center and a special thanks to Dr. Madge and his great staff. In lieu of flowers, appreciations can be sent to the Harold Alfond Cancer Center Patient Endowment Fund P.O Box 828 Waterville, Maine 04903 or to one of his favorite places,The Gardiner Public Library Association,122 Water Street Gardiner Maine 04345.The family is holding a celebration of life in Randy's memory at Staples Funeral Home 53 Brunswick Ave. Gardiner on Sunday, January 18th from 2-4 with a 3:00 PM memorial service.