Michael R Walker

Michael R. Walker, founder of vast Genesis HealthCare, died from a battle with frontotemporal dementia and complications from the coronavirus. Walker, who was born in 1948, founded Kennett Square-based Genesis in 1985. He served as chairman and CEO from 1985 to 2002. The company began as Genesis Health Ventures in an office at 148 W. State St. in Kennett Square. Walker served on the Board of Trustees for Franklin and Marshall College, was a member of the board for the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and served as a Vestry member at the Episcopal Church of the Advent. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Schaeffer Walker; his son, Forrest Sean Walker (Wendy); his daughter, Cortney Walker Rohr (Alex); four grandchildren, Whitney Schaeffer Walker, Carolyn Grace Walker, William Alex Rohr and Charles Walker Rohr; and by his siblings, William Kirk Walker Jr., Patrick Charles Walker and Kelly Anne Bartholf; and several nieces and nephews.