Robert (Bob) Walton, Sr., age 93 of Moorhead, MN passed away March 16, 2026. Bob was born on October 15, 1932, in Dell Rapids, SD to Pearly and Mildred (Merry) Walton. He moved to Sioux Falls, SD in 1945, and graduated from Washington High School (1951). As a senior in high school, he was selected to be a part of the national High School All-American Football Team (1950).

Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served 4 years from 1952-1956, being stationed in the US and Italy. After his service he received his Bachelor of Science degree from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. There he was a three-year letter-winner for the Augustana Viking football team from 1956-1958. He was an all-Noth Central Conference selection in 1957 and 1958, playing end. Bob was captain of both the ’57 and ’58 teams. He was the 1959 Honor Athlete at Augustana and received the first Spitznagel Fine Arts Achievement Award. Following his bachelor’s degree, he received a Master of Science degree from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND, where he majored in Fine Arts and Sociology.

He married Karen Cumming in 1957. Their union lasted 60 years. They had 2 sons, Robert Jr., and Stephen (Sue). He had 5 grandchildren, Nick (Katie), Lindsey (Nathan Friesen), Andrew (Kristen), Thomas, and Melanie (Adam Johnson), and 6 great-grandchildren. He was very proud of them all.

Throughout his career, he held teaching positions at the following schools: Agassiz Junior High, Art, Fargo, ND, 1959-1963; Sibley High School, West St. Paul, MN, Art, 1963-1966; Moorhead State Campus School, Moorhead, MN, Art, 1966-1970; Fargo South High School, Fargo, ND, Art, Humanities, and Social Studies, 1970-1983; Creative Arts Center School, Fargo, ND, Art, K-6th grade, 1983-1986; and Agassiz Junior High, Fargo, ND, Art and Counselor, 1986-1994.

One of Bob’s greatest passions was athletics. He was an assistant coach in football for 20 years at Fargo South High and Agassiz Junior High, a Cross-Country coach for 3 years at Agassiz Junior High, football coach for 4 years at Moorhead State College, and a football coach for 3 years at Sibley High School. Bob was also an avid runner. Later in life he competed in multiple 10K races and 3 full marathons while in his 50’s.

Bob was given the Outstanding Teacher Award at Fargo South High 1970-1971, 1973; Fargo Teacher of the Year, 1974; and the Celebration of Excellence Award at Agassiz Junior High, 1987. In 1989, he was inducted into the Augustana College Athletic Hall of Fame, and in 2006, he was selected to the Fargo South High School Hall of Fame as a faculty member. While at Fargo South, Bob designed the Bear Paw logo for the Fargo South High Bruins. This achievement was a great source of pride for him and the basic design has lasted over 50 years.

He was an active local artist in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Among a long list of artwork products he created for various organizations and events, he created artwork for area high school and college athletic programs, and Moorhead State University Theater. He was also one of the founding artists who began Gallery 4 in the Block 6 building in downtown Fargo.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Karen, both of his parents, brother Gerald, and daughter-in-law, Patricia. He was a talented artist and athlete, and a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be dearly missed.

A celebration of his life will be conducted on Monday, March 23, at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead, MN. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., funeral starting at 11:00 A.M. A livestream of the service will be available here on Bob's webpage. A private family burial will take place at Fargo National Cemetery later that day.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HIA Hospice.