Robert Walsh, president of the RF Walsh Co and Vice chairman of the BC High Board of Trustees, has received the prestigious Paul J. Hunter ‘53 Man for Others award. Every year Boston College High honors one man for his outstanding service to the school and to others. The award was presented at The Hall of Fame dinner at the Hunter-Fahey Commons on November 26.

Walsh, who graduated in the class of ’59, is a native of Savin Hill. He now lives in the Back Bay. Bob and his wife Karylann have been active with the Pine Street Inn for 40 years.  He is a founding member of the Pine Street Board  and Karylann is a long time volunteer and has been a part of their Women’s Council. 

“ As the younger brother of Bob,” said Don Walsh ‘64,“I can attest to his early efforts to be a ‘Man for Others’.  Bob was a leader in our Savin Hill neighborhood, particularly in sports and as a baritone player in the parish marching band.  He was president of St William’s CYO while playing football and basketball at BC High.

“Bob also spent many hours teaching me how to box-out while rebounding, hold a runner close to the base as a first baseman and stay low in blocking and tackling. Most important though, he was a role model for me when we were kids and continues to be now as adults,” his brother recalled.

“Dad is a wonderful, kind and generous man,” said Bob’s daughter Courtney, “devoted to his family and friends. Tonight he is receiving an award for making the World a better place by his words and every day activities. Many people will reap the rewards of dad’s Christian beliefs and serving others. He has been a great role model to his kids and now nine grandkids.”

In presenting the award, President William Kemeza said Walsh was pivotal in helping BC High construct its newest building, Cadigan Hall: “Bob is the man who made much of this possible, behind the scenes – Bob was not only involved in the details in the very beginning from the early sketches we reviewed to the finished product of Cadigan Hall – but he continues to work with our Buildings and Grounds committee as they look ahead to one of our next projects, which you may have seen as you were arriving tonight – the refurbishment of our upper fields, our track and our Baseball fields.”

“It is only fitting that Bob is being recognized tonight with the Paul Hunter Man For Others Award because both men share many of the same characteristics. Both terrific athletes. Both grew up playing all sorts of sports all year round in Savin Hill and Dorchester. Bob was the guard and offenseive lineman on the Varsity football team and then also the guard on the basketball team. “Bob has been a trusted advisor for me for quite some time now – even before he became a member of our Board of Trustees. So again – Bob – you have done so much for BC High over the years You have helped to make BC High a better place in your humble service to our school – so Thank you.”