Walter Hook was born in Missoula, Montana on April 25, 1919.  He studied art at the University of New Mexico, where he received a Masters Degree in 1950.  He was hired at the University of Montana and became chairman of the art department.  He was noted for his painting and printmaking and received over 90 awards at juried exhibitions and had over 80 one-man shows.  Hook was a member of the National Academy of Design.

Walter Hook died in Montana on June 16, 1989.