Family ties were strong, and during the Depression, several other extended family members were added to the Clark household. He graduated early from high school in order to complete a semester of college before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in August of 1944.
After Navy boot camp, he entered the Radio Technician Training Program and was assigned to Point Barrow Alaska, as an Electronic Technician Third Class.
At the end of his enlistment he returned to the University of Colorado to finish his degree. At CU, he met his wife Janet Smith through his "Acacia" fraternity brothers, Burt and Bob Smith (Janet's brothers). He graduated from CU in 1950 with a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Business.
After college Walt and Janet moved to Indianapolis where their oldest son Bruce was born. Walt worked for RCA until he was recalled to active duty for the Korean War. Janet and Bruce returned to Denver while he served as an Instructor at the Electronic Technician Training School at Great Lakes Naval Station. He ended his service in 1952 as an Electronic Technician Second Class. He went back to Denver to make Colorado his permanent home.
In 2015, as part of the "Honor Flight" program for Veterans of WWII and Korea, Walt visited the nation's War Memorials in Washington DC. His youngest son Alan was able to accompany him in the role of "Honor Flight Guardian". This emotional experience had a lasting impact on their lives.
During his career, Walt worked as a sales engineer, project manager and product procurement specialist; focusing on pumps and compressors. He worked for Worthington Corporation, Ted Miller Associates, and Stearns Rogers. While working for Worthington, covering his "territory" of Wyoming, Montana, and the Dakotas, he was often absent from his family for 1-3 weeks at a time. Working at Stearns Rogers, his projects included Seabrook Nuclear Power Station in New Hampshire, detoxification of nerve gas on Johnston Island in the Pacific, and neutralizing obsolete chemical weapons at the Tooele Army Base in Utah.
Walt and Janet were integral to the life of Capital Heights Presbyterian Church (CHPC). They sang in the choir for over 50 years, and they made many lifelong friends through their involvement in church. Walt and Janet looked forward to the church's Clipper Club social night, as did Bruce, Meg, and Alan. Their three children were happily left enjoying TV dinners, delighting in having a babysitter on whom to play tricks. Walt also served in many key roles: an elder in the governing council (Session), an auditor, a treasurer, and a building maintenance project manager. A church as old as Capitol Heights takes a lot of creative and complicated maintenance!
Family time was always important to Walt and he ensured that the family took an annual vacation. Walt's siblings lived throughout the United States and in order for their families to stay in touch, Clark family reunions were planned every four years at different locations around the country. Everyone looked forward to these trips as an opportunity to see the U.S. and to gather together with the extended family. When the "kids" were grown, the Clark siblings continued to meet every two years at various Elderhostels throughout the US. Lifelong learning was certainly a "family value".
In Colorado, Walt and his family enjoyed spending vacations and holidays with the Smith relatives. They also often traveled to Hemet, California in the baking summer heat to visit Walt's parents. Walt and Janet took great joy in traveling in the U.S. and abroad. Always young at heart, Walt and Janet accompanied Meg and 45+ middle school students on a tour of Europe in 1984, thus beginning their many foreign traveling adventures.
Walt loved sports, especially watching football. He particularly enjoyed college football and was an enthusiastic fan of his beloved CU Buffaloes. He also looked forward to talks about baseball with his younger sister Betsy, a San Diego Padres fan.
After retirement in 1992, Walt felt that his life had leveled out, was on an even keel, and the major adventures of his life were completed. However, three years later, his grandson Rajiv arrived and he discovered that the excitement had just begun. He enthusiastically devoted himself to the task of helping to raise Rajiv and relished all the new experiences that followed. Rajiv spent many hours with his grandparents, playing games, visiting zoos, parks, museums, and fishing. Rajiv enthusiastically "helped" Walt with various projects and learned how to build, fix, and repair things. Walt and Janet also took an active interest in his education. They attended school programs, band and choir concerts, sports competitions, and helped with homework and class projects. For six years they encouraged his love of music by taking him to his weekly "Orff" method music classes.
When Rajiv decided to join Scouts, Walt, who is an Eagle Scout, delighted in helping Rajiv build cars for the Pinewood Derby and boats for the Rain Gutter Regatta, prepare and pack for camping trips, attend Courts of Honor, and eventually advise Rajiv on his Eagle Project. Rajiv idolized his "Bappa" and was thrilled to spend time with him.
Walt's last trip in June, 2021, was to Aruba to attend Rajiv's and Sawyer's wedding. During his toast at the wedding, Walt said that he had been blessed in retirement to have the time available to be closely involved, along with Janet and Meg, in raising Rajiv. He felt that he had had a second chance to experience the joys of fatherhood.
Walt was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He lovingly cared for his wife during her battle with Alzheimer's. He had an encyclopedic memory for peoples' names, jokes,and historical facts. A good laugh often brought him to tears. He made decisions with compassion; based on reason, facts ,and practical experience. He had a positive impact on everyone who knew him, and he was loved by many. Yet, he was remarkably humble about his own accomplishments.
After Navy boot camp, he entered the Radio Technician Training Program and was assigned to Point Barrow Alaska, as an Electronic Technician Third Class.
At the end of his enlistment he returned to the University of Colorado to finish his degree. At CU, he met his wife Janet Smith through his "Acacia" fraternity brothers, Burt and Bob Smith (Janet's brothers). He graduated from CU in 1950 with a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Business.
After college Walt and Janet moved to Indianapolis where their oldest son Bruce was born. Walt worked for RCA until he was recalled to active duty for the Korean War. Janet and Bruce returned to Denver while he served as an Instructor at the Electronic Technician Training School at Great Lakes Naval Station. He ended his service in 1952 as an Electronic Technician Second Class. He went back to Denver to make Colorado his permanent home.
In 2015, as part of the "Honor Flight" program for Veterans of WWII and Korea, Walt visited the nation's War Memorials in Washington DC. His youngest son Alan was able to accompany him in the role of "Honor Flight Guardian". This emotional experience had a lasting impact on their lives.
During his career, Walt worked as a sales engineer, project manager and product procurement specialist; focusing on pumps and compressors. He worked for Worthington Corporation, Ted Miller Associates, and Stearns Rogers. While working for Worthington, covering his "territory" of Wyoming, Montana, and the Dakotas, he was often absent from his family for 1-3 weeks at a time. Working at Stearns Rogers, his projects included Seabrook Nuclear Power Station in New Hampshire, detoxification of nerve gas on Johnston Island in the Pacific, and neutralizing obsolete chemical weapons at the Tooele Army Base in Utah.
Walt and Janet were integral to the life of Capital Heights Presbyterian Church (CHPC). They sang in the choir for over 50 years, and they made many lifelong friends through their involvement in church. Walt and Janet looked forward to the church's Clipper Club social night, as did Bruce, Meg, and Alan. Their three children were happily left enjoying TV dinners, delighting in having a babysitter on whom to play tricks. Walt also served in many key roles: an elder in the governing council (Session), an auditor, a treasurer, and a building maintenance project manager. A church as old as Capitol Heights takes a lot of creative and complicated maintenance!
Family time was always important to Walt and he ensured that the family took an annual vacation. Walt's siblings lived throughout the United States and in order for their families to stay in touch, Clark family reunions were planned every four years at different locations around the country. Everyone looked forward to these trips as an opportunity to see the U.S. and to gather together with the extended family. When the "kids" were grown, the Clark siblings continued to meet every two years at various Elderhostels throughout the US. Lifelong learning was certainly a "family value".
In Colorado, Walt and his family enjoyed spending vacations and holidays with the Smith relatives. They also often traveled to Hemet, California in the baking summer heat to visit Walt's parents. Walt and Janet took great joy in traveling in the U.S. and abroad. Always young at heart, Walt and Janet accompanied Meg and 45+ middle school students on a tour of Europe in 1984, thus beginning their many foreign traveling adventures.
Walt loved sports, especially watching football. He particularly enjoyed college football and was an enthusiastic fan of his beloved CU Buffaloes. He also looked forward to talks about baseball with his younger sister Betsy, a San Diego Padres fan.
After retirement in 1992, Walt felt that his life had leveled out, was on an even keel, and the major adventures of his life were completed. However, three years later, his grandson Rajiv arrived and he discovered that the excitement had just begun. He enthusiastically devoted himself to the task of helping to raise Rajiv and relished all the new experiences that followed. Rajiv spent many hours with his grandparents, playing games, visiting zoos, parks, museums, and fishing. Rajiv enthusiastically "helped" Walt with various projects and learned how to build, fix, and repair things. Walt and Janet also took an active interest in his education. They attended school programs, band and choir concerts, sports competitions, and helped with homework and class projects. For six years they encouraged his love of music by taking him to his weekly "Orff" method music classes.
When Rajiv decided to join Scouts, Walt, who is an Eagle Scout, delighted in helping Rajiv build cars for the Pinewood Derby and boats for the Rain Gutter Regatta, prepare and pack for camping trips, attend Courts of Honor, and eventually advise Rajiv on his Eagle Project. Rajiv idolized his "Bappa" and was thrilled to spend time with him.
Walt's last trip in June, 2021, was to Aruba to attend Rajiv's and Sawyer's wedding. During his toast at the wedding, Walt said that he had been blessed in retirement to have the time available to be closely involved, along with Janet and Meg, in raising Rajiv. He felt that he had had a second chance to experience the joys of fatherhood.
Walt was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He lovingly cared for his wife during her battle with Alzheimer's. He had an encyclopedic memory for peoples' names, jokes,and historical facts. A good laugh often brought him to tears. He made decisions with compassion; based on reason, facts ,and practical experience. He had a positive impact on everyone who knew him, and he was loved by many. Yet, he was remarkably humble about his own accomplishments.
Family ties were strong, and during the Depression, several other extended family members were added to the Clark household. He graduated early from high school in order to complete a semester of college before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in August of 1944.
After Navy boot camp, he entered the Radio Technician Training Program and was assigned to Point Barrow Alaska, as an Electronic Technician Third Class.
At the end of his enlistment he returned to the University of Colorado to finish his degree. At CU, he met his wife Janet Smith through his "Acacia" fraternity brothers, Burt and Bob Smith (Janet's brothers). He graduated from CU in 1950 with a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Business.
After college Walt and Janet moved to Indianapolis where their oldest son Bruce was born. Walt worked for RCA until he was recalled to active duty for the Korean War. Janet and Bruce returned to Denver while he served as an Instructor at the Electronic Technician Training School at Great Lakes Naval Station. He ended his service in 1952 as an Electronic Technician Second Class. He went back to Denver to make Colorado his permanent home.
In 2015, as part of the "Honor Flight" program for Veterans of WWII and Korea, Walt visited the nation's War Memorials in Washington DC. His youngest son Alan was able to accompany him in the role of "Honor Flight Guardian". This emotional experience had a lasting impact on their lives.
During his career, Walt worked as a sales engineer, project manager and product procurement specialist; focusing on pumps and compressors. He worked for Worthington Corporation, Ted Miller Associates, and Stearns Rogers. While working for Worthington, covering his "territory" of Wyoming, Montana, and the Dakotas, he was often absent from his family for 1-3 weeks at a time. Working at Stearns Rogers, his projects included Seabrook Nuclear Power Station in New Hampshire, detoxification of nerve gas on Johnston Island in the Pacific, and neutralizing obsolete chemical weapons at the Tooele Army Base in Utah.
Walt and Janet were integral to the life of Capital Heights Presbyterian Church (CHPC). They sang in the choir for over 50 years, and they made many lifelong friends through their involvement in church. Walt and Janet looked forward to the church's Clipper Club social night, as did Bruce, Meg, and Alan. Their three children were happily left enjoying TV dinners, delighting in having a babysitter on whom to play tricks. Walt also served in many key roles: an elder in the governing council (Session), an auditor, a treasurer, and a building maintenance project manager. A church as old as Capitol Heights takes a lot of creative and complicated maintenance!
Family time was always important to Walt and he ensured that the family took an annual vacation. Walt's siblings lived throughout the United States and in order for their families to stay in touch, Clark family reunions were planned every four years at different locations around the country. Everyone looked forward to these trips as an opportunity to see the U.S. and to gather together with the extended family. When the "kids" were grown, the Clark siblings continued to meet every two years at various Elderhostels throughout the US. Lifelong learning was certainly a "family value".
In Colorado, Walt and his family enjoyed spending vacations and holidays with the Smith relatives. They also often traveled to Hemet, California in the baking summer heat to visit Walt's parents. Walt and Janet took great joy in traveling in the U.S. and abroad. Always young at heart, Walt and Janet accompanied Meg and 45+ middle school students on a tour of Europe in 1984, thus beginning their many foreign traveling adventures.
Walt loved sports, especially watching football. He particularly enjoyed college football and was an enthusiastic fan of his beloved CU Buffaloes. He also looked forward to talks about baseball with his younger sister Betsy, a San Diego Padres fan.
After retirement in 1992, Walt felt that his life had leveled out, was on an even keel, and the major adventures of his life were completed. However, three years later, his grandson Rajiv arrived and he discovered that the excitement had just begun. He enthusiastically devoted himself to the task of helping to raise Rajiv and relished all the new experiences that followed. Rajiv spent many hours with his grandparents, playing games, visiting zoos, parks, museums, and fishing. Rajiv enthusiastically "helped" Walt with various projects and learned how to build, fix, and repair things. Walt and Janet also took an active interest in his education. They attended school programs, band and choir concerts, sports competitions, and helped with homework and class projects. For six years they encouraged his love of music by taking him to his weekly "Orff" method music classes.
When Rajiv decided to join Scouts, Walt, who is an Eagle Scout, delighted in helping Rajiv build cars for the Pinewood Derby and boats for the Rain Gutter Regatta, prepare and pack for camping trips, attend Courts of Honor, and eventually advise Rajiv on his Eagle Project. Rajiv idolized his "Bappa" and was thrilled to spend time with him.
Walt's last trip in June, 2021, was to Aruba to attend Rajiv's and Sawyer's wedding. During his toast at the wedding, Walt said that he had been blessed in retirement to have the time available to be closely involved, along with Janet and Meg, in raising Rajiv. He felt that he had had a second chance to experience the joys of fatherhood.
Walt was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He lovingly cared for his wife during her battle with Alzheimer's. He had an encyclopedic memory for peoples' names, jokes,and historical facts. A good laugh often brought him to tears. He made decisions with compassion; based on reason, facts ,and practical experience. He had a positive impact on everyone who knew him, and he was loved by many. Yet, he was remarkably humble about his own accomplishments.
After Navy boot camp, he entered the Radio Technician Training Program and was assigned to Point Barrow Alaska, as an Electronic Technician Third Class.
At the end of his enlistment he returned to the University of Colorado to finish his degree. At CU, he met his wife Janet Smith through his "Acacia" fraternity brothers, Burt and Bob Smith (Janet's brothers). He graduated from CU in 1950 with a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Business.
After college Walt and Janet moved to Indianapolis where their oldest son Bruce was born. Walt worked for RCA until he was recalled to active duty for the Korean War. Janet and Bruce returned to Denver while he served as an Instructor at the Electronic Technician Training School at Great Lakes Naval Station. He ended his service in 1952 as an Electronic Technician Second Class. He went back to Denver to make Colorado his permanent home.
In 2015, as part of the "Honor Flight" program for Veterans of WWII and Korea, Walt visited the nation's War Memorials in Washington DC. His youngest son Alan was able to accompany him in the role of "Honor Flight Guardian". This emotional experience had a lasting impact on their lives.
During his career, Walt worked as a sales engineer, project manager and product procurement specialist; focusing on pumps and compressors. He worked for Worthington Corporation, Ted Miller Associates, and Stearns Rogers. While working for Worthington, covering his "territory" of Wyoming, Montana, and the Dakotas, he was often absent from his family for 1-3 weeks at a time. Working at Stearns Rogers, his projects included Seabrook Nuclear Power Station in New Hampshire, detoxification of nerve gas on Johnston Island in the Pacific, and neutralizing obsolete chemical weapons at the Tooele Army Base in Utah.
Walt and Janet were integral to the life of Capital Heights Presbyterian Church (CHPC). They sang in the choir for over 50 years, and they made many lifelong friends through their involvement in church. Walt and Janet looked forward to the church's Clipper Club social night, as did Bruce, Meg, and Alan. Their three children were happily left enjoying TV dinners, delighting in having a babysitter on whom to play tricks. Walt also served in many key roles: an elder in the governing council (Session), an auditor, a treasurer, and a building maintenance project manager. A church as old as Capitol Heights takes a lot of creative and complicated maintenance!
Family time was always important to Walt and he ensured that the family took an annual vacation. Walt's siblings lived throughout the United States and in order for their families to stay in touch, Clark family reunions were planned every four years at different locations around the country. Everyone looked forward to these trips as an opportunity to see the U.S. and to gather together with the extended family. When the "kids" were grown, the Clark siblings continued to meet every two years at various Elderhostels throughout the US. Lifelong learning was certainly a "family value".
In Colorado, Walt and his family enjoyed spending vacations and holidays with the Smith relatives. They also often traveled to Hemet, California in the baking summer heat to visit Walt's parents. Walt and Janet took great joy in traveling in the U.S. and abroad. Always young at heart, Walt and Janet accompanied Meg and 45+ middle school students on a tour of Europe in 1984, thus beginning their many foreign traveling adventures.
Walt loved sports, especially watching football. He particularly enjoyed college football and was an enthusiastic fan of his beloved CU Buffaloes. He also looked forward to talks about baseball with his younger sister Betsy, a San Diego Padres fan.
After retirement in 1992, Walt felt that his life had leveled out, was on an even keel, and the major adventures of his life were completed. However, three years later, his grandson Rajiv arrived and he discovered that the excitement had just begun. He enthusiastically devoted himself to the task of helping to raise Rajiv and relished all the new experiences that followed. Rajiv spent many hours with his grandparents, playing games, visiting zoos, parks, museums, and fishing. Rajiv enthusiastically "helped" Walt with various projects and learned how to build, fix, and repair things. Walt and Janet also took an active interest in his education. They attended school programs, band and choir concerts, sports competitions, and helped with homework and class projects. For six years they encouraged his love of music by taking him to his weekly "Orff" method music classes.
When Rajiv decided to join Scouts, Walt, who is an Eagle Scout, delighted in helping Rajiv build cars for the Pinewood Derby and boats for the Rain Gutter Regatta, prepare and pack for camping trips, attend Courts of Honor, and eventually advise Rajiv on his Eagle Project. Rajiv idolized his "Bappa" and was thrilled to spend time with him.
Walt's last trip in June, 2021, was to Aruba to attend Rajiv's and Sawyer's wedding. During his toast at the wedding, Walt said that he had been blessed in retirement to have the time available to be closely involved, along with Janet and Meg, in raising Rajiv. He felt that he had had a second chance to experience the joys of fatherhood.
Walt was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He lovingly cared for his wife during her battle with Alzheimer's. He had an encyclopedic memory for peoples' names, jokes,and historical facts. A good laugh often brought him to tears. He made decisions with compassion; based on reason, facts ,and practical experience. He had a positive impact on everyone who knew him, and he was loved by many. Yet, he was remarkably humble about his own accomplishments.
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