Obituary: Kenneth H. Walker

(PRESS RELEASE) Kenneth H Walker, FAIA born on June 11, 1940, was the son of the late Marty Walker and Lillian Walker (née Goldfarb ), was the younger brother of the late Carol W. Atkin. Ken passed away peacefully at his home in Shelter Island on July 2nd, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

Ken Walker

Ken was born in New York City and attended Ethical Culture Fieldston School in New York. He is a graduate of Brown University, where he studied Art History and Fine Arts, and Harvard University Graduate School of Design, where he earned his Masters in Architecture.

Shortly after graduating, Ken began his career as an architect for a large New York City firm. He is famous for saying it was his first and last job. He started his own architectural firm from the couch in his apartment helping a family friend design a retail shop. It was then that he found his talents were best applied to the design of commercial retail. He enjoyed the theater-like aspect of creating spaces where people could experience something special while also shopping.

In 1970, he moved the couch to an office, where he founded WalkerGroup, which later became WalkerGroup/CNI and was acquired by WPP Group in 1987. Ken was viewed as an industry leader in retail design bringing vision, creativity, and strategy to the discipline of retail design. Over the course of his career, Ken helped many of the world’s major retailers translate their business plans into three-dimensional design.

He also established WalkerGroup/Designs in 1980 for product development, licensing, and strategic design services. In 1993, Ken also founded Retail Options, Inc. (ROI) a retail consultancy. He is also the creator of 01-01-00TM, The Mark of the Millennium, which became an internationally recognized symbol for the global millennium celebration.

Ken received many honors and awards throughout his career and taught at the Rhode Island School of Design, Harvard, MIT, and the Architectural Association in London. Ken was elected a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, was a charter member of the Interior Design Hall of Fame, a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization, and was President of the Alumni Council, Harvard G.S.D. He served on the Architectural Design Committee of the Museum of Modern Art and the Advisory Committee of the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum. Since 2011, he has served as Chairman of the Board of Advisors for the College of Creative Studies in Detroit.

Ken’s life was one distinguished by his effervescence for all things that inspire wonder. From making art and racing cars to hours spent with his nieces and nephews (and his grand nieces and nephews) sailing, digging for clams in the Peconic Bay, and skiing with his beloved nephews, Ken spread his incredible joy for life, perhaps without ever intending to. All those touched by his humor and energetic, playful heart know how enamored he was of his many hobbies, and his enthusiasm was often infectious to those around him. Never bored, Ken traveled the world, even reaching both the North and South Poles.

Ken’s greatest gifts were his friendship and mentorship, as he was continually in search of making the next friend. As a leader, he prided himself in not being a teacher, but a collaborator and in this way was able to foster the growth of many talented individuals. Inspired by the kind of spirit most children lose as they grow into adulthood, Ken not only maintained but ardently cultivated this sense of wonder throughout his life. Ken’s brilliant mind was matched by his warmth and sensitivity; one of his greatest gifts was that he always wanted to share his exuberance with others.

Ken is survived by his wife, Mary Susan Walker, his cousin Georgeanne Heller, brother-in-law David Atkin, nephews Andrew and Douglas Atkin, the family cats Katie and Cooper. In lieu of memorial gifts, Ken was an advocate for both the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research – if you wish to contribute to either of these organizations in his name we are eternally grateful.