Our Staff

Bob Walton

Bob is the current co-owner and President of the Walton Insurance Agency, now in its 93rd year of continuous family ownership.  He was born and raised in Oskaloosa, IA and graduated from Oskaloosa High School.  After a four-year tour of duty in the U. S. 8th Air Force’ Strategic Air Command (SAC) as a Nuclear Weapons Specialist, Bob was honorably discharged and returned to the University of Iowa to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Insurance & Finance.  His University MA graduate concentration was Insurance Risk Management.  At the same time, he taught several sections of undergraduate General Insurance in the Business College as a graduate teaching assistant for Professor Emeritus, Dr. Emmett Vaughan.  When his tour of duty in Phillips Hall ended, Bob founded the first of three Iowa City independent property and casualty insurance agencies, including his own Walton Insurance Services.  It later became part of the combined Welt, Ambrisco and Walton Agency.  The second agency, First Insurance Services, ultimately merged with several other Iowa City agencies.  Bob is still active in the Walton Agency, currently in his 57th year as a licensed Iowa Agent.

Civic activities & awards:  Bob was fortunate to be included in the first round of scholarships awarded by the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa.  While living in Iowa City, Bob served as President of the Iowa City Jaycees and received the top national Jaycee’ Henry Giessenbier Memorial Trophy for leading “the most outstanding Jaycee chapter in the State of Iowa,” followed by the Iowa Jaycee Top Five Parade of Chapter’s Plaque.  He was then appointed to the new position of President of the Iowa Jaycee Metro Chapters.  After returning to Oskaloosa, Bob was awarded the Oskaloosa Jaycee Distinguished Service award for community service and the Iowa Governor’s Community Betterment Leadership Award for chairing the Oskaloosa Bicentennial Celebration.  He then became the third member of the Walton family to serve as President of the Oskaloosa Chamber of Commerce.  During his 50 years as an Oskaloosa Elk’s Club member, he received the Elk of The Year Award for club participation.

Bob has many interests and hobbies, including a broad practical knowledge of computer programming languages incorporated in hundreds of lines of program code written for a variety of projects, including the prototype HomeRun.  Bob has also constructed several electronic communications devices from scratch, including a portable PA amplifier and his first amateur radio transmitter at age 15. His extensive Air Force electronics training further aided a lifetime of electronics experimentation.  Other interests include music CD production, biking, landscaping and creative writing,  including his ongoing favorite, the Museum of Failed Inventions and Ideas.

Ruth Walton

Ruth Walton joined the Agency in 1983.  As a co-owner she now serves as corporate treasurer.  Her job description expanded over the years to include underwriting and customer service in all insurance lines.  She has become the Agency’s “unofficial” customer greeter and she thoroughly enjoys her role as such, working closely with agency clients.

Ruth is a key figure in agency accounting and internal management.  She performs a wide variety of tasks as the head of insurance and agency-management processing.  Ruth oversees the accuracy of insurance data in practically every paper and electronic system, both in-coming and out-going.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from the University of Iowa.  She taught at the University of Iowa Laboratory School as well as the Iowa City School District before moving on to insurance several years later.  Through the years, Ruth has been quite active in the St. Paul Congregational Church, serving on many committees and boards while participating in the church choir for thirty-plus years.

Her hobbies include gardening, writing, remembering every conceivable important date and taking care of nature’s critters.

Ryan Walton

Ryan graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1994 and continued his education in Minnesota.  He first earned an Associate Degree in Graphic Arts from the School of Communication Arts.  While working in computer graphics and printing in Minneapolis, he opted to further his education and broaden his skills in new areas.  With a strong interest in personal computers and IT technology developed as a youth, he attended the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology.  To complete this foundation for a career in the rapid growing digital universe, he earned an Associate in Science Degree from the Minneapolis Community and Technical College with straight A’s.  Some time later, the Walton Agency just happened to be completing the installation of a “third generation” data processing system required by new IT cloud technology.  The rest is history.

Ryan joined the Walton Agency in 2012, representing the fourth generation of family to work in the Agency since its founding in 1930.  After quickly learning the operational aspects of managing an independent insurance agency, he put all of his acquired skills to work in a variety of areas, including IT systems, website, customer service and personal/commercial underwriting.   As the Agency Assistant Manager, Ryan devotes a good deal of time overcoming the many challenges confronting an independent insurance agency today.  He is now valued as the “go to guy” to troubleshoot, underwrite and place new and renewal commercial insurance contracts; demanding tasks requiring great attention to detail.  He has met the challenge.  His educational background and acquired skills are the foundation for a long and successful insurance career.  Ryan is a corporate officer as well, serving as Vice President and Secretary.

Joyce Webb

Joyce Webb joined the Agency in 2000.  Over the past twenty-three years, she has grown into and performed the duties of a senior personal lines underwriter.  Agency clients know her as a main contact for auto, homeowner and other personal lines policy writing, change requests and claims reporting.  Her efforts are directed toward maintaining a high agency standard of professional customer service, dedicated to the philosophy that the customer comes first.

Over many years, Joyce has been active in the Oskaloosa community in general and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in particular.  For several years she chaired fund raising dinners to support the Senior High School vocal program.  Joyce has a long history of active support of St. Mary’s.  She has served as President of the Pastoral Council; been a Lector and Eucharistic Minister; served on the Education Committee and taught religious education.

Her hobbies include quilting, gardening and cooking – where she competes with her husband Chuck over who makes the best salsa in the family.

Your Name Here

We are currently seeking two career hires:  (1)  Customer Service Agent (CSA) in personal lines and (2)  Commercial Insurance Producer.   Please click on the EMPLOYMENT  Tab at the top of the page or click here for the details.