Former Illinois governor and Northwestern School of Law alumnus Daniel Walker died Wednesday morning in California. He was 92.

Walker, who was elected governor in 1972, garnered fame for walking more than 1,100 miles across Illinois after announcing his candidacy.

After serving one term as governor from 1973 to 1977, Walker plead guilty in 1987 to obtaining more than $1 million fraudulently in loans from two banks he managed and spent 17 months in prison.

Walker moved to San Diego following his time in prison. He became a philanthropist and also wrote seven books, including “The Maverick and the Machine,” a memoir.

Walker was a Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He received a law degree from NU in 1950.

Walker is survived by his wife, Lily Stewart, his seven children from a previous marriage, 22 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

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