Arts column: Why George Walker is retiring after 45 years at WFIU

George Walker never thought: “Why did I say ‘Yes’ to this job?” After all, he didn't start out to be the classical music radio host. But WFIU wanted him, and he said yes, and he stayed on full-time for four and half decades.

"It was my job," he said in an email. That job was presenting the classical music programs — and being a programming director — Monday through Friday mornings on WFIU Public Radio.

Walker will retire fully on July 29 because of a recent diagnosis of frontotemporal (progressive) disease. WFIU Music Director Aaron Cain has been easing into Walker's post. How will Walker feel, sad or relieved, when he hears that other voice daily?

"Both, but I am happy to pass the torch to Aaron."

In 1967 Walker was working on his master’s degree in English at Indiana University. He was planning to teach. But a radio blurb mentioned needing people to volunteer to read the news. He figured such an experience could help him teach; he auditioned. Management liked his news voice but really liked his classical voice. From volunteer to staff member he went.

Walker's reputation is that of a gentleman. I’ve never heard anything less than lovely about him. That he talked all those years on public radio and is admired by so many seems exceptional.

"I put a bold face on my demeanor," he said.

Early on, Walker spent two years studying at Indiana University's School of Music and as years passed, his knowledge of classical music, especially of the baroque and the modern periods, deepened.

I wondered if being tied to a desk with so many listeners waiting to hear him speak or play the next piece ever made him feel claustrophobic.

"I never thought about it."

I also wondered about his ever positive theater reviews, diplomatic and kind. Did he ever want to pan something?

"I did write a negative review and the station manager suggested that I take the negative comments out. Generally, I tried to be tactful because I wanted to support the arts in south-central Indiana."

What about when he didn’t feel good? Did he hide it? Call in sick? A radio host seems very exposed.

"Mostly I hid it. If I could."

Walker called me during the pandemic to see how I was faring. (I told you, he's a gentleman.) The thing I remember is that when I asked what he was doing for fun, he replied, "I'm reading a lot of Shakespeare." Fun? This man is deep. (And by the way, he's also a trained classical guitarist.)

He continues to read and watch Shakespeare plays.

"I go back to my honors reading list from the University of Michigan Shakespeare course for reading suggestions. His genius is that his words continue to think himself into the minds of other human beings."

One particular interview challenged Walker. He just couldn't coax Carol Burnett to sing “I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together.”

"I’ve been fortunate to interview so many (additional) creative and talented musicians, dancers, actors, directors, writers, and scholars — from Yo-Yo Ma to Buckminster Fuller, to Twyla Tharp, to Yefim Bronfman, the Canadian Brass, 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."

Did Walker ever say something on the air and think, “Oops!”

"For a number of years, I charged myself for every on air slip-up. At the end of each day, I’d tell my wife, Carolyn, the total."

John Bailey, WFIU station operations director and adjunct instructor at IU's Media School, leads a group of seven at WFIU. Walker has reduced his schedule lately, Bailey said.

"George is unflappable. He's well mannered, thoughtful and courteous."

Bailey said the station will be OK, just different now. "George has been a constant, we will absolutely not be the same."

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Longtime radio host George Walker retires from WFIU