Dean Walker
{{Short description|American athlete, coach and politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Dean Walker
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| order = 33rd
| office = President of the Oregon State Senate
| term = 1941–1943
| preceded = Robert M. Duncan
| succeeded = William H. Steiwer
| party = Republican
| birth_date = {{birth date|1889|9|9}}
| birth_place = Rickreall, Oregon, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1953|12|24|1889|9|9}}
| death_place = Salem, Oregon, U.S.
| alma_mater = University of Oregon
Columbia University
| spouse =
| profession =
| religion =
| footnotes =
| module = {{Infobox college coach|embed=yes
| player_sport1 = Football
| player_years1 = 1907–1908
| player_team1 = Columbia (OR)
| player_years2 = 1909–1912
| player_team2 = Oregon
| coach_sport1 = Football
| coach_years2 = 1916–1917
| coach_team2 = Oregon (Freshmen)
| coach_sport3 = Basketball
| coach_years4 = 1918–1919
| coach_team4 = Oregon
| coach_sport5 = Baseball
| coach_years6 = 1918
| coach_team6 = Oregon
| admin_years1 = 1913–1914
| admin_team1 = Oregon (Grad. Man. of Ath.)
| admin_years2 = 1918–1919
| admin_team2 = Oregon (Grad. Man. of Ath.)
| admin_years3 = 1923–1925
| admin_team3 = Oregon (Student loan dir.)
| admin_years4 = 1925–1927
| admin_team4 = Oregon (Dean of men)
| overall_record = 13–4 (men's basketball)
10–2 (baseball)
| championships = Pacific Coast Conference basketball champion (1919)
}}
}}
Dean H. Walker (September 9, 1889 – December 24, 1953) was an American athlete, coach, politician who played running back for the University of Oregon football team from 1909 to 1912, was head coach of the University of Oregon men's basketball team from 1918 to 1919, and was president of the Oregon State Senate from 1941 to 1943.
Early life
Walker was born in Rickreall, Oregon on September 9, 1889 to Sida and Georgia Walker. He played football at Independence High School in Independence, Oregon and was captain of the team his senior season. He then played two seasons for Columbia University (now the University of Portland) and was team captain during his second season.
University of Oregon
Walker was a substitute fullback for the 1909 Oregon Webfoots football team, but received almost the same amount of playing time as a starter due to coach Robert Forbes' dual team system.{{cite news |title=Fair Outlook for 'Varsity Foot Ball Team |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gl9WAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2 |access-date=8 November 2024 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |date=August 16, 1910}} He began the 1910 season as the team's starting halfback, but was forced to withdraw from the university before the season ended.{{cite news |title=Dickinson To Play Here |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=POcmAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2 |access-date=8 November 2024 |work=The Sunday Morning Star |date=September 24, 1911}} He returned to the team in 1911 and was captain of the 1912 Oregon Webfoots football team. Walker was also a forward on the Oregon basketball team for two seasons.{{cite news |title=Dean Walker is Elected Captain of Football Team |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xVlXAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1 |access-date=8 November 2024 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |date=December 7, 1911}}
In 1913, Walker was named Oregon's graduate manager of athletics.{{cite news |title=Walker in Charge of Oregon Teams |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EsFXAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA19 |access-date=8 November 2024 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |date=October 1, 1913}} He gave the job up after one year to take over his father's ranch. He also sold hop insurance and spraying materials.{{cite news |title=City News |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sVYUAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA3 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |date=August 5, 1914}} He returned to the university in 1916 as freshman football coach.{{cite news |title=22 Athletes At Initial Practice |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pU9XAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |date=September 14, 1916}} He returned for the 1917 season and the following spring was named head coach of the Oregon baseball team.{{cite news |title=Name Dean Walker to Coach Freshies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fsVXAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA16 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |date=October 10, 1917}}{{cite news |title=Walker to Coach Baseball Team at Oregon U |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zsBXAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA18 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |date=March 8, 1918}} In 1918, he was once again named graduate manager after A. R. Tiffany resigned to focus on his duties as registrar.{{cite news |title=Walker Will Boss Sports at U. Of. O. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M75XAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA11 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |date=May 29, 1918}} In 1919, Walker led Oregon's basketball team to the Pacific Coast Conference title, defeating California Golden Bears two games to none in a best-of-three championship series.{{cite news |title=Coast Title Won By Oregon Basketeers From California 'U' |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SzlXAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |date=March 7, 1919}} Later that year, he resigned as graduate manager and was replaced by Marion McClain.{{cite news |title=Marion McClain Chosen to Hold Graduate Managership |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l2ZjAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |date=June 14, 1919}}
After leaving the university, Walker was a junior partner in the Wetherbee-Walker furniture company. In 1923, he left the firm to return to Oregon as student loan director.{{cite news |title=Dean Walker Loan Director At University |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dw0kAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |date=September 15, 1923}} In 1925, he became the university's dean of men.{{cite news |title=Campus Changes Now Being Made |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2gtQAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |date=July 25, 1925}} In 1927, he was granted a leave of absence to study at Columbia University.{{cite news |title=Dean Walker to Continue Study At Columbia U. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ziJZAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA8 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |date=June 5, 1928}}
Politics
In 1920, the Eugene, Oregon city council unanimously voted to appoint Walker to fill the unexpired term of Ward 1 councilor William Polders.{{cite news |title=Dean H. Walker to Succeed Polders |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tH0zAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |date=January 14, 1920}}
From 1933 to 1935, Walker, who was now residing in Independence, represented the 10th House district in the Oregon House of Representatives.{{cite book |title=The Oregon Blue Book – 1933-34 |date=1933 |page=46 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8MESAAAAIAAJ |access-date=9 November 2024}} In 1934, he was elected to the 9th district seat in the Oregon State Senate by a 63-vote margin.{{cite news |title=Dean Walker Is Named Senator |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=td0zAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA4 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |date=November 9, 1934}} He was appointed chairman of the ways and means committee as a freshman and was reappointed for the 1937–38 and 1939–40 legislative sessions.{{cite news |title=Legislature Organizes In 1935 Session |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nTVPAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=The Bulletin |date=January 14, 1935}}{{cite news |title=Legislature Begins In Harmonious Style |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=stUsAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=The Bulletin |date=January 11, 1937}}{{cite news |title=Legislative Sessions Are Brief Today |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PxhPAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA16 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=The Bulletin |date=January 6, 1939}}
In 1941, he was unanimously voted president of the Oregon State Senate.{{cite news |title=Legislature Session Opens |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1rBWAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |date=January 13, 1941}} He did not run for the presidency in 1943, but remained in the legislature and was appointed chairman of the senate tax committee.{{cite news |title=State Senate In Deadock (sic); Delay Looms |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T9MsAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA5 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=The Bulletin |date=January 9, 1943}}{{cite news |last1=Bremer |first1=Arthur |title=School Support Gets Attention |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5eUsAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA2 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=The Bulletin |date=January 27, 1943}} In 1945, he was once again named head of the ways and means committee.{{cite news |title=Wheeler And Gibson Get Important Posts |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w8pYAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |date=January 8, 1945}} He was reappointed in 1947.{{cite news |title=Sen. Gibson Heads Forestry Committee |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PrhWAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |date=January 13, 1947}} In 1949, Walker, now Dean of the Senate, was once again chairman of the tax committee.{{cite news |last1=Barrett |first1=Eldon |title=45th Legislature To Be 'Greenest' In Recent Years |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=plVYAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA9 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=The Bulletin |date=January 4, 1949}}{{cite news |title=Senate Passes Main State Tax Program |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6zISAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |date=April 2, 1949}}
In 1949, Walker was the primary sponsor of a bill which would make it unlawful to operate a theater without prohibiting the eating of popcorn and peanuts. Any theater owner found in violation would be subject to a $100 fine or 30 days in jail. Any patron annoyed by someone eating popcorn or peanuts could get thrice the cost of their ticket back and sue for damages if they did not receive the money.{{cite news |title=Senators Chomp Into Bill To Stop Movie Popcorn |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MBw1AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA18 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |date=April 7, 1949}} The bill did not get far, but attracted nationwide attention.{{cite news |last1=Harvey |first1=Paul |title=Bills Become 'Vehicles' |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oTVWAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA6 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |date=February 9, 1969}}
For the 1953–54 legislative session, Walker was named chairman of the ways and means committee and vice chairman of the tax committee.{{cite news |last1=Harvey |first1=Paul |title=Budget Balancing Job Almost Over |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UhZWAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA20 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |date=March 24, 1953}} On December 24, 1953, Walker died in Salem, Oregon following a heart attack.{{cite news |title=Dean H. Walker Died at Salem |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LlVYAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA1 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=The Bulletin |date=December 24, 1953}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Oregon Ducks men's basketball coach navbox}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Walker, Dean}}
Category:Columbia University alumni
Category:Oregon Ducks baseball coaches
Category:Oregon Ducks football coaches
Category:Oregon Ducks football players
Category:Oregon Ducks men's basketball coaches
Category:Oregon Ducks men's basketball players
Category:People from Independence, Oregon
Category:Presidents of the Oregon State Senate
Category:Republican Party members of the Oregon House of Representatives
Category:Republican Party Oregon state senators
Category:Portland Pilots football players
Category:20th-century members of the Oregon Legislative Assembly