It all started in Walkerton.
Walter LaFeber grew up in Walkerton. He worked in his fatherâs grocery store. Nickâs Supermarket was well known for service and being a supporter of the town. A friendly place to shop. Walt worked a few hours in the morning before high school. Now thatâs a character builder.
In addition to hard work, he was a basketball star. After graduating as the salutatorian from Walkerton in 1951, he took off for Hanover College. His father said if it wasnât for a shop class, he would have been the valedictorian. He started off at Hanover with an idea of going into journalism but he was influenced by history professor Robert Bower.