A native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Walt prepped at The Hill School. At Princeton, he majored in history and took his meals at Campus. On graduation he spent a year in the Princeton development office, then earned a law degree at Duke University Law School in 1964. He spent a year as a fellow with the New York City Bar Association and two years in corporate law before joining Federal Mogul Corp. as legal associate in its international division. Walt spent 13 years with Federal-Mogul in international legal, merger, and related work, traveling around the world to his great delight.
In 1976, Walt returned to his native Council Bluffs, where he became deeply involved in civic activities. He served as a city council member and as mayor in 1998. He was also active in several banking and corporate positions and extended his civic service to a number of state boards and commissions.
A long-term bachelor, Walt married Kathleen in 1990. They met through a shared love of the arts, wine and food, and international travel, which they shared in 60 countries. They celebrated his 50th with Walt’s eight suitemates and spouses, happily resolving all the world’s problems.
Walt died May 31, 2022, of complications of a long struggle with cardio-arterial illness.He is survived by Kathleen, a sister, and two brothers.