The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Beloved father, husband and grandfather, Bob Walter ended his long journey on the morning of August 3 at his home in Sisters. Born in Trenton, New Jersey to Benjamin C. Walter and Irene G. Hindley, Bob enjoyed his youth playing sports, working as a camp counselor and cheering for his favorite baseball team, the Boston Red Sox.

He studied forestry at Paul Smith’s College in the Adirondacks of New York for two years before completing his bachelor of science at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Upon his graduation in June 1957, Bob began his career with the Bureau of Land Management in Oregon. He returned briefly to Michigan to marry Barbara Ann Struble that same year. He was drafted in February of 1958 and served two years in the U.S. Army at Fort Lawton in Seattle. Bob and Barb spent the following seven years throughout the West, with stops in Salem and Cedar City, Utah, until they settled down in Eugene to raise their family. While living in Eugene, Bob and Barb became passionate Oregon Ducks fans and sat in the same seats at Autzen Stadium for 30 years.

Starting in 1965, many family weekends were spent enjoying Central Oregon while camping at the Metolius River — where Bob would spend the day fly-fishing at his favorite riffle just upriver from the Allingham Bridge — or at Three Creek Lake.

After 21 years in Eugene, Bob retired to Sisters in 1991. He designed and built a home in Tollgate with the help of his sons. For several years, he built houses in the community with Habitat for Humanity before he joined Kiwanis and ran the Sisters Food Bank. In retirement, he discovered a love of golf, prompting him to take a job as a marshal at Eagle Crest Resort Golf Course for 17 years, where he took frequent advantage of his free golf privileges.

Bob was passionate about many things throughout his life.

He was an avid runner, bicyclist, cribbage player and golfer.

He enjoyed traveling the world with his wife, and made memorable trips throughout Europe and to the East Coast to visit family and make a pilgrimage to Fenway Park.

He knew many professional successes, overseeing an entire region for the B.L.M., and was recognized for his work in the community.

But to him, the crowning achievement of his life was his family.

He often described the best season of his life as the time he spent raising his children.

His grandchildren and great-grandchildren adored him and he delighted in them.

His marriage, family life and devotion to others are an inspiration to his family.

His memory and legacy will be carried on at tailgates, camping trips and family reunions for many years to come.

Bob is survived by Barbara, his loving wife of 62 years; two brothers: John and David Walter; two sisters: Jeanne Dean and Joan Luther; four sons: Michael, James and wife Kimberly, Thomas and wife Angela, William and wife Shelly; two daughters: Linda Ann Hartshorn and husband James, Cynthia Sue Wilson and husband William; 16 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Irene Constance Roberts and grandson Logan Angus.

He died from complications of advanced Parkinson’s disease.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 24 at 11 a.m. at St. Edwards Catholic Church (123 Trinity Way Sisters) where Bob was a devoted parishioner and lector. The family wishes to thank Partners in Care Hospice for their wonderful and loving care of Bob. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Kiwanis Food Bank.