TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
“... AN ACCOMPLISHED RESEARCHER AT A TIME WHEN IT WAS EXTREMELY RARE TO FIND BLACK AMERICANS IN POSITIONS OF THAT KIND ...” — Karlton Johnson, The National Space Society CEO
As a laser systems specialist, Walker traveled extensively introduc- ing advanced new laser technologies to the fields of scientific research and industrial applications. In 1974, Walker joined the Hughes Aircraft Company, where he participated in developing and placing the first Tactical Laser Target Designator System into the U.S. Army inventory. In 1989, Walker retired from Hughes in 1989 and later founded a laser systems consulting firm, Tech Plus. In 1990, Walker and his wife Bettye founded the non-profit African-Amer- ican Male Achievers Network, Inc., or A-MAN (1991). The Walkers designed A-MAN to utilize hands-on demonstra- tions and extracurricular projects to encourage and support boys’ and girls’ interests in careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Then South African President Nelson Mandela invited the Walk- ers to bring the A-MAN program to South Africa. Two of A-MAN’s founding board members were Past Grand Polemarchs Thomas Bradley and Randall C. Bacon. The A-MAN pro- gram had a long-standing
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relationship with Guide Right and Kappa League. In 2000, Walker became a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Solar System Ambassador, where he spoke on space-related technology issues, pro- moted public education and developed local community awareness regarding space technology. A Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Walker was a charter member of the Capetown-Western Cape Alumni Chapter. He was a longtime member of the Rotary Club, Past Board Chairman, Walk to Emmaus Los Angeles Community, a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Boule, and National Space Society of South Africa. He was a member of the American Institute of Aero- nautics and Astronautics
( AIAA ) Educator Asso- ciate, a board member of the OASIS chapter of the National Space Society, Among Walker’s numer- ous achievements and honors, Walker’s Apollo 11 Lunar Laser Ranging Interplanetary Experiment was replicated in 1994 in an interactive exhibit located in the Hands-on Science section of Science in Amer- ican Life at the National Smithsonian Museum of American History in Wash- ington, D.C. Walker was also honored in the exhibit’s permanent section, “The New Moon.” Brother Hildreth Walker, Jr. is survived by his wife Dr. Bettye Davis Walker, chil- dren Allison and Raymond, grandchildren Raishaua, Justin, Kara, Lance, Nile, Mecca, and Asia and 17 grandchildren. ♦
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