Walt died Jan. 24, 2011.
He grew up in Merchantville, N.J. After graduating from Princeton he worked in various financial institutions in Philadelphia, including Colonial Penn Insurance Co. and First Pennsylvania Bank, where he was a vice president in management.
Fourteen years ago, Walt had a near fatal heart attack while driving north on his way home from Florida. The residual congestive failure eventually necessitated a heart transplant. The anti-rejection drugs he needed destroyed his kidneys and he underwent renal dialysis three days a week for his last four years. Through all of this, he displayed extraordinary courage, tenacity, and true grace.
Princeton meant a lot to Walt. The lifelong interest in history he developed as an undergraduate sustained him through his difficult experiences. In fact, the day before he died, he was eager to argue some of the finer points of the relationship between Charles I and Oliver Cromwell. He was a member of Colonial Club.
Walt married Joan Worthington, who survives him, 58 years ago. A loving and devoted couple, they had two daughters, Lisa Barnett and Suzanne Alexis Rhodes, and two grandsons, Jeffrey and Jason Barnett. The class sends its condolences to them all.