Dennis Walker (banker)

Dennis Lyle Walker (December 26, 1943 – July 5, 1987) was an American banker who used investments made to his bank, the International Bank of the South Pacific, to acquire millions of dollars' worth of sports memorabilia and rare gems. His large collection included items directly purchased from Pete Rose.

Born in Ogden, Utah, Walker was educated at the University of Nevada, Reno and Washington State University. He worked as a professor at Southern Oregon State College and was a lay bishop for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Walker established the International Bank of the South Pacific with a charter in Tonga. He received investments after promising returns of 25–30%. The National Sports Hall of Fame was opened by Walker in February 1985 and featured 250 World Series and Super Bowl rings among its collection. He fled from Oregon after charges were filed by the Oregon Attorney General in 1986 and was discovered dead the next year. $7 million worth of memorabilia was left unaccounted for at the time of his death.