You’ve probably heard the name George Herbert Walker III and immediately thought of the Bush dynasty. It’s an easy mistake to make. Honestly, when your first cousin is the 41st President and your cousin-once-removed is the 43rd, your own legacy tends to get a bit overshadowed by the shadow of Air Force One. But "Bert" Walker, as he was known to everyone in St. Louis, wasn't just a background character in a political drama.
He was a powerhouse. A real one.
While the rest of the world looked at the Walker-Bush family tree as a map of the American presidency, Bert was busy transforming the financial landscape of the Midwest. He wasn't just coasting on a famous surname or a Yale degree. He was the guy who took a relatively modest investment firm and turned it into a New York Stock Exchange powerhouse.
The Stifel Transformation
Let’s talk about Stifel Nicolaus for a second. When Bert joined the firm in 1976, it wasn’t the massive name you see on sports arenas today. Back then, the firm’s revenue was hovering around $12 million. That’s not "small change," but in the world of high finance, it was a boutique operation.
Bert didn't just sit in the corner office. He became CEO in 1978 and Chairman in 1982. He had this vision of what a regional firm could actually achieve if it stopped thinking small. Under his watch, Stifel went public. It started swallowing up other firms. By the time he stepped back, that $12 million revenue had ballooned into hundreds of millions.
It was a masterclass in scale. He proved you didn't need a Wall Street zip code to dominate the market.
George Herbert Walker III and the Diplomacy of a "Normal" Guy
In 2003, George W. Bush tapped Bert to be the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary. Now, cynics might call that "cousinly favoritism." Maybe it was. But if you look at the timing, it was a incredibly delicate period for international relations. Hungary was in the middle of a major transition, and the Iraq War was creating friction all over Europe.
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Bert didn't show up like a career politician. He showed up like a businessman who knew how to listen.
He spent three years in Budapest (2003–2006). He wasn't just attending formal galas; he was working on the ground to strengthen the bond between the U.S. and a nation that was still figuring out its post-communist identity. He was so effective that the Hungarian government actually awarded him the Commander’s Middle Cross of the Order of Merit. You don't get that just for being related to a President.
The Educational Legacy
If you walk around Webster University today, you’ll see his name everywhere. Specifically, the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology.
This wasn't just a "vanity" donation. In 2005, he gave $10 million to the school—the largest gift in its history at the time. But he was also a board member for over 40 years. He cared about the nuts and bolts of education. He wanted to make sure that the next generation of St. Louis business leaders had a place to learn that wasn't just an ivory tower.
He also launched the Walker Leadership Institute at Eden Theological Seminary. Think about that for a second. A high-flying investment banker funding an institute at a seminary. Why? Because he was obsessed with the idea of "Common Good" leadership. He believed that faith and business shouldn't be two separate worlds that never talk to each other. He thought business leaders had a moral obligation to their communities.
What People Often Get Wrong About the "Walker" Name
There’s this misconception that Bert Walker was just a proxy for the Bush family interests in Missouri. Kinda like a local branch manager for the family business.
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That’s basically 100% wrong.
While he was fiercely loyal—he served as a finance chair for Reagan and both Bush presidents—his own political ambitions were independent. In 1992, he actually ran for Congress himself. He tried to win Missouri’s 2nd District. He lost the primary to Jim Talent, but the way he handled it was classic Bert. He didn't retreat or get bitter. He just went back to work building the city of St. Louis.
A few things that actually defined him:
- He was a Yale grad (1953) and a Harvard Law guy (1955), but he spent his career in the trenches of Midwestern finance.
- He served in the U.S. Air Force as a legal advisor. He knew the system from the inside.
- He was a father of eight. Eight! Imagine managing a NYSE firm and a household of eight kids.
Why His St. Louis Roots Mattered
Bert was a "Civic Giant." That’s a term people throw around, but he actually lived it. He chaired the Missouri Historical Society. He worked with the Urban League. He headed the Downtown St. Louis Partnership.
When the city was struggling with its budget in the 90s, the Mayor didn't call a consultant from New York; he called Bert. He was the guy who could get the "Blue Ribbon" committees together to actually solve problems. He was deeply invested in the idea of "Better Together"—a movement to bridge the gap between St. Louis City and the County.
He saw the fragmentation of local government as a waste of potential. He spent his final years pushing for a more unified, efficient region.
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The Reality of His Final Years
George Herbert Walker III passed away on January 18, 2020, at the age of 88. He died from complications following a stroke. It was the end of an era, not just for the Walker family, but for the city of St. Louis.
He left behind a son, George Herbert Walker IV, who continues the tradition as the CEO of Neuberger Berman. The legacy of the name is clearly in good hands, but the specific brand of Bert's civic-minded leadership is something that is increasingly rare today.
Practical Takeaways from Bert Walker’s Life:
- Build where you are. He could have moved to New York or D.C. a dozen times. He chose St. Louis and made it better.
- Scale requires a plan. Stifel didn't grow by accident; it grew through deliberate acquisitions and a willingness to go public.
- Diplomacy is about ears, not just mouth. His success in Hungary was built on building relationships, not just asserting power.
- Generosity is a career-long commitment. He didn't wait until he was 80 to start giving back; he was on boards in his 40s.
If you’re looking to understand the real George Herbert Walker III, don't look at the photos of him with his cousins at Kennebunkport. Look at the skyline of St. Louis and the graduation programs at Webster University. That’s where he actually lived.
To honor his legacy, consider looking into the Walker Leadership Institute or the Better Together initiative. These organizations represent his belief that business can, and should, be a force for the common good. Whether you're a student or a local business owner, the principle of "leadership for the common good" is a framework that still works in 2026.