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a gasoline engine become evident. Consequently, the “Power Track” was born. While it gained considerable local interest shortly after its debut in 1955, a limited set of tools, equipment, materials and capital prevented its commercial potential.
Nonetheless, Max Walker continued thinking of ways to utilize his mech- anical aptitude in more ways than just in the fields of his farm. As fortune would have it, a friend remarked about the potential to create a gasoline-powered golf car. At that time, batteries could not take golfers through a whole round, and there was a need for a transportation method that could last 18 holes and beyond. Max quickly created a prototype of what would become known as the Walker Executive Golf Car.
Strong demand for these gasoline- powered golf cars remained for six or so years until improvements in electric battery life, at which time their design and intellectual property rights were sold. With this initial manufacturing success, several things became clear. Most evident, though, was Max’s ability to translate market demand into a viable product and the engineering prowess to make this idea a reality.
Aiding the Walker legacy throughout the years has been the continued inclusion of aviation in company operations. In 1945, Max’s dad, Wesley, purchased a Culver V for his two sons, who taught themselves to fly on their southwest Kansas farm. In 1947, the Culver was traded in for a used North American Navion, which was then traded for a new Ryan Navion the following year. The two aircraft were operated for a total of 10 years in support of business and farm operations, ultimately being replaced by an Aircoupe. The two- seater was flown by the family for the next few years, although less for business and more for leisure.
After a 15-year hiatus from flying that coincided with challenging business transitions and new product designs, the family obtained a brand- new Turbo Arrow from Piper Aircraft in 1977. Coincidentally, this was the
same year Walker Manufacturing Company created the product that their name has become most synonymous with for producing.
After mowing with a “cumbersome and slow” rear-engine riding mower, Max and his two sons, Dean and Bob, channeled their varied equipment manufacturing and design experience into the lawncare vertical. As a result, their first compact tractor was created – designed to be “fast, easy to operate, and would deliver a beautiful cut.” Several prototypes were developed over the course of two years, and the design was then taken on an agricultural show tour. The product garnered significant interest that resulted in the production of the company’s first 25 mowers in 1980. As they say, “the rest is history.” Today, 170,000 mowers later, the Walker Family is still at the helm producing durable products, continually improved based upon customer feedback.
The familial legacy of hard work and virtue was passed down by Max (who passed in 2011) and those before him. Another thing that has remained in the bloodline through the generations is the apparent love for aviation. There are seven pilots within the immediate Walker family – many of whom are actively involved in the family business in one facet or another.
Bob, who currently serves as Chairman, was the young kid on the receiving end of the miniature Caterpillar Christmas present in ‘53. The strong mechanical inf luence of his father rubbed off on him, and he ultimately pursued a Mechanical Engineering degree from LeTourneau University. Upon graduation, he worked as a military aircraft structures engineer at Cessna Aircraft Company prior to joining his dad in the manufacturing business. Before school, he learned to fly in a Cessna 150 and continues to fly to this day, primarily in his Rans S-7.
Shortly after Bob learned to fly a Cessna, his brother Dean Walker graduated college and received his Private Pilot Certificate in a
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August 2021 / TWIN & TURBINE • 25