Robert P. (Bob) Walson, 83, of Indianapolis, died March 7, 2026, following a cancer diagnosis several weeks earlier. He was born July 19, 1942, in New York City, to Anna and Jacob Walson. 

The family relocated to the Los Angeles area when he was 5. He studied at the University of California at Berkeley before moving to Champaign, Ill., to com­plete a doctorate at the University of Illinois. There he met and married Mary Ellen Nafziger. Bob and Mary Ellen lived for a time in Moline, Ill., before moving to Columbus, Ind., where Mary Ellen died. In 1984, he met Emilie Derstine Seitz, and they were married in 1987, joining their households and moving to Indianapolis. They were happily married for 39 years. Bob worked in metallurgy and failure analysis, first with Cummins in Columbus, followed by Wolf Technical Services in Indianapolis and finally for himself, beginning Walson & Co. Inc. 

He was a devoted Christian who embraced the Mennonite faith, which he carried through the remainder of his life. He strived to reflect the Anabaptist values of peace, generosity and service. He enjoyed travel, especially if it allowed him to volunteer, as he did for many years with the SOOP program in Tucson, Ariz., assisting low-income families with home repair. 

A longtime advocate for mental health, Bob taught classes with the National Association on Mental Illness. He helped to found the Circle City Clubhouse in Indianapolis, part of a national network of mental health service facilities. He was active in First Mennonite Church’s Faith in Action commission, assisting projects for those in need in Indianapolis. He was involved with IndianaAid, supporting imprisoned immi­grants. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who lived out his faith in the teach­ings of Jesus by working for peace and justice. 

He is survived by his wife, Emilie D. Walson; sons Gregory (Karen) and Alex; stepdaughter Lori Seitz Rider (Todd); stepson Brian Seitz (Christine); and five step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Ellen; and son Christopher Walson.