Walter Hoesel ’60

Walter died peacefully April 20, 2016, in Duvall, Wash., with his devoted daughter, Lisa, at his bedside.

While at Princeton, Walt majored in engineering, was a diver for the swim team, and a member of Cloister Inn.

Walt earned his master’s degree in education from Temple University and went on to be assistant headmaster at Germantown Academy, in Pennsylvania, then headmaster at Lake Forest Academy, in Illinois, where he was instrumental in transforming it into a coeducational institution by merging with Ferry Hall, an all-girls’ school. Walt then moved to Spokane, Wash., where he became headmaster at St. George’s School.

Following semi-retirement, Walt served as assistant headmaster at Overlake School in Redmond, Wash., also teaching physics and mathematics. Walt became an elder of the Wilderness Awareness School, where he developed programs to introduce youths to a deeper understanding of the natural world as a source of healing and knowledge. Walt was an elder and pipe carrier for the Sungeska Family of the Lakota Sioux. As such, he was entrusted with supervision of the annual Sun Dance and the transmission of traditional spiritual values to Lakota youth.

Walter is survived by his wife of 55 years, Katherine (Katy); daughter Lisa and her husband Mike; son Chris and his wife Missy, and their daughters, Maddie and Katy.