I was thinking about Walt this morning when looking at a photo he took of a SW canyon. He is so missed.
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I was thinking of Walt this morning and decided to look him up, only to find that he passed away five months ago. My condoloences to all of you in his family. I knew Walt when he managed the Gerlach's Camera store on 13th street. He taught me how to shoot, from the point and shoot I knew to large format transparency. I even bought his 4"x5" gear from him in 2004. Walt was always very kind to me, and though we lost touch a bit when he moved on to nursing school, I always considered him a friend.He was very, very good people. I'll miss him.
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Since there is no a service, Ben Henry, Mark Schmidt, and I went on a hike in the Three Sisters wilderness in honor of Walt. As we hiked we talked about our adventures with Walt. It was a beautiful day. Just wish he could have been there with us.
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I am very deeply sad about Walt’s passing. He and I had talked about going out to do some photography just before Labor Day. I was working on my schedule to make it happen. Then I learned of his accident.
I met Walt in the Emerald Photographic Society. We served in leadership roles for a 4 year period together for the organization. He was a nearly constant support and mentor for me with my learning the world of photography. We shot together for a number of years.
During a period of my life I had some serious medical problems. Walt was a wonderful support during those times for both my wife and myself. We will never forget his kindness and caring.
I am including 4 photos that I took on trips with Walt. They are from trips we took together. I will miss you, my friend. Rest in peace.
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We has a small viewing of Dad last week, just me, Wil, Cindy, Uncle Ladd, and Cousin Bill. He looked really good. I mean, it was awful and beautiful, and horrific, and beneficent. Aunt Peggy and I had another viewing today because she wasn't available last weekend for the viewing. The funeral home is now going to commence with cremation.
I don't want to say goodbye to my dad, but I'm grateful. He's not with his body anymore. Whatever your belief system is, you can concede that he's not in that vessel anymore. Let your personal beliefs imagine where he is now.
I like to think of life after death as a vast net of energy that reclaims us. We were energy before we were born, we become energy in a body, and then we pass on and become part of collective energy again after we pass.
For those of us with a traditional Christian background, he has rejoined my Mom, Kathy, in heaven. I really like to believe that is what happened because it means she is giving him "what for" for driving on an unknown road with no copilot. Give him hell, Mom!
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I had the pleasure to work with Walt on multiple occasions over the last couple years, to assist him getting back on his feet after injuries. He always wore a smile and had excellent Scouting stories to tell me while working together on his strength and mobility. His booming voice and jokingly-teasing will be missed. My condolences to his family and specifically to his wife Cindy.
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To Biddle Family, and friends of Walt, We have lost a good friend and family man. Walt and I met while working at K-Mart on Good Pasture Island Rd summer of 1971. He shared photography application and theory I still use today. There were road trips in "SHASTA" My family moved away in fall 1972 and we stayed in touch all these years. Following my first Navy enlistment Walt (and Kathy) helped me on my return to Eugene. He was my student at LCC for the EMT course. And introduced me to Camp Melakwa. I cherish my great experiences and many friends arizing from those adventures. I was glad to return some kindness when he traveled to the BSA National Jamboree. I will miss talking to my friend Walt.
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Walt was an EMT and RN who gave of himself everyday to help others. He was very smart, caring, and hardworking, with a keen insight into human behavior and a sense of humor. He helped so many patients, and staff too, in his job at Peacehealth and with Eugene Pediatrics. He was much more than a co-worker; he was a friend to everyone. Walt will be deeply missed by so many people, but his many kindnesses will never be forgotten. He was a big man with a big heart. May his memory be a source of many blessings in the world.
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For many years, Walt and I were camera store co-workers....we were friends for even more years. If I were to describe Walt in one word, it would be
ENTHUSIASM. Walt was a large man...But, even larger was his enthusiasm for Scouting, the outdoors, medicine and first aid. But, most of all, His enthusiasm about his family (He spent endless hours in his darkroom at home, doing custom processing in order to have extra money to do things for you kids and yer Mom) and photography. He was a "walking (and talking) encyclopedia" of all things photographic, keeping up-to-date on new photo techniques as well remembering all sorts of esoteric photo trivia. While working in the camera store, customers were super-appreciative of the time Walt would spend, patiently answering questions and teaching them about navigating the complexities of photo equipment. 'Was only a few months ago, I enjoyed spending some time with him during a telephone chat as he was searching for a new "church home" for his Scout Troop.
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Anyone who knew dad knew that he took his Hearts game very seriously. As children, my brothers and I were taught early and with no gentle touch how to play a solid game of Hearts. He would not hesitate to annihilate us and cackle in glee as he easily won the game. In those early days when we managed to make him take points, he would lament, "I can't believe I broke ten in an amateur game". This may seem cruel, but at some point in my early adulthood, I (and the brothers) realized we had become good enough to give the old man a run for his money. It is a great source of pride to me that he considered me a formidable enough opponent that he allowed other players to shoot the moon just so I couldn't. He taught me well :) We all took great joy in throwing the phrase that he"broke ten in an amateur game" back at him whenever he took points.
Among other phrases that we delighted at throwing back at him: "get the queen, spill her blood" (referencing leading out spades), "deuce it sports fans" ( I think this was my personal favorite), "she has come home to roost" (regarding giving the queen of spades back to the person who passed it), and most especially, "humph", muttered whenever he took points he wasn't expecting.
I have a video of Tim and me playing hearts with Dad about a year ago. He had gone to the bathroom in between hands and Tim and I had a little fun stacking the deck: we put all the hearts in the hand meant for dad in ascending order, 2-A. It was so fun watching him react at first with amazement, and then incredulity. I'm going to try to post the video here to share, but this site doesn't seem to like videos that aren't on youtube.
Dad--thank you for teaching me so many things, but learning strategy from you was the most fun, and it warms my heart to know that you were proud of what I learned rather than begrudging the fact that I *might* have become a better Hearts player than you <3
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During my senior year in college I was recruited to serve as the Scoutmaster for the troop I was in as a kid. I finagled Walt into being one of my assistant leaders.
One weekend we took a group of older Scouts on a bushwhacking trip in the three sister wilderness area. The plan was to do some off trail hiking to allow the boys to practice there map and compass navigation skills in real life.
After arriving, grabbing our backpacks,etc, the boys laid out their map on the hood of the car to take their compass reading to start off. If you're not familiar with how compasses work taking a bearing on top of a large metal object would be a big mistake. I started to mention this to the older scouts. Walt quietly touched my shoulder, shook his head no, and we let the boys proceed. Walt took his own bearings and then proceeded to allow the scouts to hike for about 2 hours into the wilderness in the wrong direction. Once the scouts realized they were not where they thought they should be, Walter was able to give them a fairly accurate location and we were able to safely complete the trip. It was one of the great lessons I learned from him about being a scout leader, to allow the boys to fail without failing.
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Walt was such an awesome guy and I feel honored I got to be his friend. His dedication to helping youth was amazing. I have always looked up to him.
Last time I saw him, even though his back was killing him, all he could do was think about helping me and my son. That’s how Walt was, always wanting to help and put others ahead of him.
I will miss him.
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I knew Walt as a member of the ever shrinking Gerlach's Camera Family. He was a lot of fun to work with, and I am sorry to hear of his passing!
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We are deeply saddened by Walt’s passing. Like many others, we met Walt thru Scouting. He was a current member of our Troop, and we enjoyed all of our time together. He was a true Scouter, always willing to help, sharing stories, taking pictures and just a wonderful guy. We’ll miss you Walt ~ God Speed
Your friends,
Bill & Brandie Gillespie
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We are so sorry for the loss of Uncle Walt. He has always been so kind. One of my favorite memories will be watching him share his love for photography with my son. Such a loving, kind soul.
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