Walter Roy Akeson, PhD., of Longmont, Colorado, passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday, January 20, 2019, at home, with his beloved wife Marilyn by his side. He died as he lived, quietly but with dignity and humor, from complications of congestive heart failure and diabetes.
Walt was born on November 2, 1937 to Roy and Leffie Terry Akeson in Chappell Nebraska. He grew up on a large wheat farm and started school in a one-room country school house. He graduated with distinction from the University of Nebraska in 1959, as the top student in the College of Agriculture and in the top 3% of his University graduating class. He went on to earn a Master's degree in Biochemical Genetics at the University of Nebraska in 1961 and his doctorate in Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin--Madison in 1965.
Walt married Yvonne Cook (Vonnie), whom he met at the University of Nebraska, in June, 1959. They had three sons, Curtis Roy, Kenneth Scott, and Kelvin Lee, and the family moved to Longmont in 1969 when Walt joined the Agriculture Research Center of Great Western Sugar Company as a plant physiologist. Vonnie died in 1974 after a long illness. Walt met and married Marilyn Goon and added her three children, Julie, Terri, and Jeffrey Goon to his family.
While working as a biochemist and plant physiologist, Walt published over 50 peer reviewed publications, received two patents and was the author of a chapter of a book on sugar beet technology. He was a member of Sigma Xi, Gamma Sigma Delta, the American Society of Agronomy, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Society of Plant Physiologists. He also cultivated beautiful flowers, which helped with his courtship of Marilyn.
Walt retired from active research work in 1986 when the GW Research Center was closed. A lifelong farmer and gardener, he worked with his nephew, Terry Akeson, to improve production and quality on his dry land farm in Nebraska, actively managed his investment portfolio and worked at H&R Block during tax season.
He was a lifelong Methodist and a member of the First United Methodist Church throughout his years in Longmont, serving on many committees and acting as an usher, and enjoyed the friendship of many in the congregation. He was a member of the Longmont Genealogical Society and served in a number of leadership roles. He was also on the Advisory Board of the Panhandle Research Station of the University of Nebraska.
Walt had numerous hobbies throughout his life, including home improvement, woodworking, genealogy, financial planning, gardening, flower raising, and food preservation — all of which were precisely planned and carried out. He was the family historian of the Terry-Akeson clan and held forth at the family reunions with obscure tales of long ago family members. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, his sister and her husband, his cousins, and other friends — especially river cruises throughout North America and Europe. He also loved classical music and spent many enjoyable evenings at the Longmont Symphony Orchestra.
Walt is survived by Marilyn, his wife of 43 years, his sister Barbara Robbinson, his children Curtis (Teresa) Akeson, Kenneth Akeson, Kelvin (Gerri) Akeson, Julie Goon, Terri Goon and Jeffrey (Tanya Holland) Goon, his six grandchildren Kai (Kinsey), Serena, Sasha and Haydn Akeson, and Audun and Kajsa Holland-Goon, and his one great-granddaughter Elena Akeson and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his first wife, Vonnie, his parents, his brother Berton, his grandson Dirk and one nephew. He is also survived by many friends and his presence and wise counsel will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held for Walter Akeson on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Longmont with a light reception afterwards. Memorial contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church, the Hygiene United Methodist Church or the Longmont Symphony Orchestra. Cremation entrusted to Howe Mortuary and Crematory.
Walt was born on November 2, 1937 to Roy and Leffie Terry Akeson in Chappell Nebraska. He grew up on a large wheat farm and started school in a one-room country school house. He graduated with distinction from the University of Nebraska in 1959, as the top student in the College of Agriculture and in the top 3% of his University graduating class. He went on to earn a Master's degree in Biochemical Genetics at the University of Nebraska in 1961 and his doctorate in Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin--Madison in 1965.
Walt married Yvonne Cook (Vonnie), whom he met at the University of Nebraska, in June, 1959. They had three sons, Curtis Roy, Kenneth Scott, and Kelvin Lee, and the family moved to Longmont in 1969 when Walt joined the Agriculture Research Center of Great Western Sugar Company as a plant physiologist. Vonnie died in 1974 after a long illness. Walt met and married Marilyn Goon and added her three children, Julie, Terri, and Jeffrey Goon to his family.
While working as a biochemist and plant physiologist, Walt published over 50 peer reviewed publications, received two patents and was the author of a chapter of a book on sugar beet technology. He was a member of Sigma Xi, Gamma Sigma Delta, the American Society of Agronomy, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Society of Plant Physiologists. He also cultivated beautiful flowers, which helped with his courtship of Marilyn.
Walt retired from active research work in 1986 when the GW Research Center was closed. A lifelong farmer and gardener, he worked with his nephew, Terry Akeson, to improve production and quality on his dry land farm in Nebraska, actively managed his investment portfolio and worked at H&R Block during tax season.
He was a lifelong Methodist and a member of the First United Methodist Church throughout his years in Longmont, serving on many committees and acting as an usher, and enjoyed the friendship of many in the congregation. He was a member of the Longmont Genealogical Society and served in a number of leadership roles. He was also on the Advisory Board of the Panhandle Research Station of the University of Nebraska.
Walt had numerous hobbies throughout his life, including home improvement, woodworking, genealogy, financial planning, gardening, flower raising, and food preservation — all of which were precisely planned and carried out. He was the family historian of the Terry-Akeson clan and held forth at the family reunions with obscure tales of long ago family members. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, his sister and her husband, his cousins, and other friends — especially river cruises throughout North America and Europe. He also loved classical music and spent many enjoyable evenings at the Longmont Symphony Orchestra.
Walt is survived by Marilyn, his wife of 43 years, his sister Barbara Robbinson, his children Curtis (Teresa) Akeson, Kenneth Akeson, Kelvin (Gerri) Akeson, Julie Goon, Terri Goon and Jeffrey (Tanya Holland) Goon, his six grandchildren Kai (Kinsey), Serena, Sasha and Haydn Akeson, and Audun and Kajsa Holland-Goon, and his one great-granddaughter Elena Akeson and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his first wife, Vonnie, his parents, his brother Berton, his grandson Dirk and one nephew. He is also survived by many friends and his presence and wise counsel will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held for Walter Akeson on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Longmont with a light reception afterwards. Memorial contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church, the Hygiene United Methodist Church or the Longmont Symphony Orchestra. Cremation entrusted to Howe Mortuary and Crematory.
Walter Roy Akeson, PhD., of Longmont, Colorado, passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday, January 20, 2019, at home, with his beloved wife Marilyn by his side. He died as he lived, quietly but with dignity and humor, from complications of congestive heart failure and diabetes.
Walt was born on November 2, 1937 to Roy and Leffie Terry Akeson in Chappell Nebraska. He grew up on a large wheat farm and started school in a one-room country school house. He graduated with distinction from the University of Nebraska in 1959, as the top student in the College of Agriculture and in the top 3% of his University graduating class. He went on to earn a Master's degree in Biochemical Genetics at the University of Nebraska in 1961 and his doctorate in Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin--Madison in 1965.
Walt married Yvonne Cook (Vonnie), whom he met at the University of Nebraska, in June, 1959. They had three sons, Curtis Roy, Kenneth Scott, and Kelvin Lee, and the family moved to Longmont in 1969 when Walt joined the Agriculture Research Center of Great Western Sugar Company as a plant physiologist. Vonnie died in 1974 after a long illness. Walt met and married Marilyn Goon and added her three children, Julie, Terri, and Jeffrey Goon to his family.
While working as a biochemist and plant physiologist, Walt published over 50 peer reviewed publications, received two patents and was the author of a chapter of a book on sugar beet technology. He was a member of Sigma Xi, Gamma Sigma Delta, the American Society of Agronomy, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Society of Plant Physiologists. He also cultivated beautiful flowers, which helped with his courtship of Marilyn.
Walt retired from active research work in 1986 when the GW Research Center was closed. A lifelong farmer and gardener, he worked with his nephew, Terry Akeson, to improve production and quality on his dry land farm in Nebraska, actively managed his investment portfolio and worked at H&R Block during tax season.
He was a lifelong Methodist and a member of the First United Methodist Church throughout his years in Longmont, serving on many committees and acting as an usher, and enjoyed the friendship of many in the congregation. He was a member of the Longmont Genealogical Society and served in a number of leadership roles. He was also on the Advisory Board of the Panhandle Research Station of the University of Nebraska.
Walt had numerous hobbies throughout his life, including home improvement, woodworking, genealogy, financial planning, gardening, flower raising, and food preservation — all of which were precisely planned and carried out. He was the family historian of the Terry-Akeson clan and held forth at the family reunions with obscure tales of long ago family members. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, his sister and her husband, his cousins, and other friends — especially river cruises throughout North America and Europe. He also loved classical music and spent many enjoyable evenings at the Longmont Symphony Orchestra.
Walt is survived by Marilyn, his wife of 43 years, his sister Barbara Robbinson, his children Curtis (Teresa) Akeson, Kenneth Akeson, Kelvin (Gerri) Akeson, Julie Goon, Terri Goon and Jeffrey (Tanya Holland) Goon, his six grandchildren Kai (Kinsey), Serena, Sasha and Haydn Akeson, and Audun and Kajsa Holland-Goon, and his one great-granddaughter Elena Akeson and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his first wife, Vonnie, his parents, his brother Berton, his grandson Dirk and one nephew. He is also survived by many friends and his presence and wise counsel will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held for Walter Akeson on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Longmont with a light reception afterwards. Memorial contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church, the Hygiene United Methodist Church or the Longmont Symphony Orchestra. Cremation entrusted to Howe Mortuary and Crematory.
Walt was born on November 2, 1937 to Roy and Leffie Terry Akeson in Chappell Nebraska. He grew up on a large wheat farm and started school in a one-room country school house. He graduated with distinction from the University of Nebraska in 1959, as the top student in the College of Agriculture and in the top 3% of his University graduating class. He went on to earn a Master's degree in Biochemical Genetics at the University of Nebraska in 1961 and his doctorate in Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin--Madison in 1965.
Walt married Yvonne Cook (Vonnie), whom he met at the University of Nebraska, in June, 1959. They had three sons, Curtis Roy, Kenneth Scott, and Kelvin Lee, and the family moved to Longmont in 1969 when Walt joined the Agriculture Research Center of Great Western Sugar Company as a plant physiologist. Vonnie died in 1974 after a long illness. Walt met and married Marilyn Goon and added her three children, Julie, Terri, and Jeffrey Goon to his family.
While working as a biochemist and plant physiologist, Walt published over 50 peer reviewed publications, received two patents and was the author of a chapter of a book on sugar beet technology. He was a member of Sigma Xi, Gamma Sigma Delta, the American Society of Agronomy, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Society of Plant Physiologists. He also cultivated beautiful flowers, which helped with his courtship of Marilyn.
Walt retired from active research work in 1986 when the GW Research Center was closed. A lifelong farmer and gardener, he worked with his nephew, Terry Akeson, to improve production and quality on his dry land farm in Nebraska, actively managed his investment portfolio and worked at H&R Block during tax season.
He was a lifelong Methodist and a member of the First United Methodist Church throughout his years in Longmont, serving on many committees and acting as an usher, and enjoyed the friendship of many in the congregation. He was a member of the Longmont Genealogical Society and served in a number of leadership roles. He was also on the Advisory Board of the Panhandle Research Station of the University of Nebraska.
Walt had numerous hobbies throughout his life, including home improvement, woodworking, genealogy, financial planning, gardening, flower raising, and food preservation — all of which were precisely planned and carried out. He was the family historian of the Terry-Akeson clan and held forth at the family reunions with obscure tales of long ago family members. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, his sister and her husband, his cousins, and other friends — especially river cruises throughout North America and Europe. He also loved classical music and spent many enjoyable evenings at the Longmont Symphony Orchestra.
Walt is survived by Marilyn, his wife of 43 years, his sister Barbara Robbinson, his children Curtis (Teresa) Akeson, Kenneth Akeson, Kelvin (Gerri) Akeson, Julie Goon, Terri Goon and Jeffrey (Tanya Holland) Goon, his six grandchildren Kai (Kinsey), Serena, Sasha and Haydn Akeson, and Audun and Kajsa Holland-Goon, and his one great-granddaughter Elena Akeson and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his first wife, Vonnie, his parents, his brother Berton, his grandson Dirk and one nephew. He is also survived by many friends and his presence and wise counsel will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held for Walter Akeson on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Longmont with a light reception afterwards. Memorial contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church, the Hygiene United Methodist Church or the Longmont Symphony Orchestra. Cremation entrusted to Howe Mortuary and Crematory.
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