Walter Rankin Sylvester ’39

His early career as a test engineer led him into federal government research and engineering. He was assigned to NASA as a research scientist and served during World War II in Trinidad as a member of the Naval Research Lab staff. He received a master’s degree from Tufts in 1954.

He had established the contracting firm of Walter R. Silvester (electrical and home improvements) as a part-time venture in 1949. By 1960 the business had grown into a full-time operation. But Walt found his family — wife June Purdy and their three children — the most meaningful part of his life. Model railroading and genealogical research were his hobbies, and with June he co-edited the monthly newsletter of the Prince George’s County Genealogical Society and shared membership in the Writers’ League of Washington. He recorded 62 years of marital bliss as the chief “up” in his life and getting older the only “down.”

He is survived by June; their daughter, Lora Lewis; sons Roy Vincent and Eric Putnam; and eight grandchildren. We offer them our sincere sympathies.