RICHLAND, Wash. – Walter E. Wilson, who taught computing and retired WSU Tri-Cities, died Jan. 7, 2018 after battling Alzheimer’s disease. He was 83.
Wilson lived in Richland where he began work for Battelle as a research physicist in 1965.
Wilson was born and raised with his two brothers on their parents’ farm in Salem, Ore. He graduated from Willamette University and went on to earn his doctorate in physics from the University of Wisconsin.
He enjoyed a year abroad in Basel, Switzerland, as a post-doctoral fellow. Throughout his career, he continued to collaborate with and visit colleagues in Europe.
He married Connie in 1967 and together they raised four children. His family was always most important to him.
He was an avid photographer and loved the outdoors, especially fishing on the Oregon Coast. Many of his hobbies centered around computers, and he taught computing at WSU-Tri-Cities from September 1999 to May 2005.
He was well-known for his New Year’s Day chili and for making friends feel like part of the family. He is survived by his brother, Howard, of Corvallis, Ore.; his wife, Connie; and children, Bruce (Lisa), Doug (Mariliz), Greg (Lori), and Dee Ann (Gary) and ten grandkids: Jenna, Jackson, Camille, Angelina, Casey, Bradley, Paige, Bryce, Mari and Andie. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Erma Wilson, and his brother, Ralph Wilson, Jr.
In lieu of flowers, please consider the Washington State University Tri-Cities Battelle Scholars Endowment Fund. You can express your thoughts and memories on our online Guestbook at www.einansatsunset.com
