George Walker, a longtime classical music host and producer for WFIU Public Radio in Bloomington, Ind., died Aug. 21 of cardiac arrest. He was 81 years old.
Walker retired from WFIU in July 2022 after 45 years as a full-time staff member. His time on the radio, though, spanned more than 50 years, beginning in 1967 when he came to Indiana University for a master’s program in teaching English.
“In the first year as a graduate student at IU, someone visited one of my classes to let us know that there were auditions for news announcers at WFIU,” Walker said in a 2022 WFIU article announcing his plan to retire. “I tried out and wound up being hired, not as a news announcer, but as a part-time classical music announcer.”
Although Walker completed his graduate degree in teaching, the part-time position he took as a student led to a long and successful career in radio.
“George was a model of consistency across what might have been a record tenure,” said WFIU/WTIU Station Operations Director John Bailey. “We can’t find any evidence that another daily music host in the history of U.S. broadcasting served one station for longer in that role.”
Throughout his time at WFIU, Walker witnessed how both the station and his job evolved from the beginnings of public radio’s classical music services. He was present for the creation and growth of the NPR network, which didn’t exist when he worked at WFIU as a student.
“For many years, I had the longest (by far) weekday airtime at any NPR station. … The only network program during my 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. airtime was Adventures in Good Music with Karl Haas. No NPR news — I took it off the wire or it came from our news staff,” Walker recalled.
His position later expanded to covering the arts in south central Indiana, including reviewing hundreds of stage productions and concerts and interviewing performing artists.
“I’ve been fortunate to interview so many creative and talented musicians, dancers, actors, directors, writers and scholars — from Yo-Yo Ma to Buckminster Fuller, to Twyla Tharp, to … Maya Angelou, and Bill T. Jones. I take great pride in having known the remarkably warm and talented Dave Baker and Josef Gingold (who always called me ‘dear boy’) and knowing Menahem Pressler,” said Walker.
Last month, Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations (IPBS) inducted Walker into the IPBS Hall of Fame, which honors outstanding champions of public media with ties to Indiana and the industry.
“George’s commitment to his craft and to WFIU was truly one-of-a-kind,” said Brad Kimmel, WFIU/WTIU executive director.
WFIU paid tribute to Walker Thursday during its Morning Music program.