"Bob is an outstanding friend maker and fundraiser. He has spent the largest part of his professional life connecting donors (alumni, parents & friends) to the strategic academic and co-curricular objectives of Texas A&M University. As an observer of Bob's work I can safely say he has set the standard for how a University fundraiser/friend maker can further the ambitions of the University. He is has raised millions for TAMU and in so doing he has never sought person recognition only the personal satisfaction of knowing he made his university a better place. "

Brad Cheves – Vice President of Development & External Affairs ,

Southern Methodist University

Bill Estes EdD – Vice President for University Advancement, 

University of West Georgia

During my time as President, his capacity for creating and sustaining friendships was enormously important to me. As a new President that had to address some controversial issues, he was almost always the one to reach out and tell anyone concerned that “everything is ok.” It was the ultimate form of public relations on behalf of the university. He would have been important to the university even if he was not also raising money. I have never met anyone with his capacity to help Aggies. He is always ready and willing to help an Aggie regardless of the issue. As he provides this help, he always maintains his personal integrity. He is a highly principled individual that, through years of good work, is uniformly respected by everyone that knows him.

As a fund raiser, given what I have said about his friend making, Dr. Walker was the best I have ever seen. He did not mind spending years cultivating a prospect. Bum Bright was a thirty year plus friend before he ever decided to make his $25M gift. When Bum signed the gift agreement, the first thing he did was turn to Bob and ask whether he would still come and see him. The friend dimension of the relationship was every bit as important to Bum as was the donor relationship. There are literally hundreds of similar stories one can tell about how his friendships with Aggies has helped the university. Dr. Walker is also a skilled professional. He knows how to design a development program and how to structure major campaigns. I have worked at several good universities. All of these were handicapped because they did not have in the university leadership the kind of long term, service oriented, individual that Dr. Walker has represented for Texas A&M."

Dr. Ray M. Bowen - President Emeritus Texas A&M University, 

Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M President 1994-2002