Walter was born and reared in Binghamton, New York, and began his working days with IBM in nearby Endicott. By the time he was transferred to IBM headquarters in New York City in 1956, he was director of manufacturing services for all systems.

He settled in Scarsdale where he joined the Scarsdale Congregational Church. Here, in the 1960's and 1970's, he served as Trustee, chairing the Insurance Committee and serving on the Finance, Facilities Reservations, and Buildings and Grounds Committees. He was also named a Deacon, to the Board of Christian Education, Nominations Committee, and as a delegate to the New York City Congregational Association.

He retired at age 61 and, with his wife Arlene, lived in Florida for part of the year. Arlene died in 1983. It was a hard loss. But he and Arlene had been friends with Dorothy and Lloyd Griffin over the years. Lloyd had died in 1976. So it came to pass, and was good, very good, for them and for both their families when, in 1985, Walter and Dorothy married.

At Walter's 80th birthday, his son Dennis referred to him as a "gentle-man," a felicitous adjective as Walter's pastor, Phillip Washburn, pointed out in the memorial service. "For all of us," he said, "Walter was easy to meet. At least a part of his secret was that he met you prepared to like you-and you knew it...was affable, but with a touch of reserve. He cared for you without crowding you. `Gave people 'turn-around room'. It's a great gift."