Stellar Zoner Down - Walt (Aerohead)
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Our dear friend Walt, zoner (Aerohead) died yesterday. Such a sweet, loving man, tough and gentle and so happy to be married to Kimberly. He was diagnosed with lung cancer almost 3 years ago.
Walt loved music and road trips, he and Mark D were tour buddies. I first met them in 2005 in the Hep C folder on Philzone, and then in 2006 at SCI shows at the Cuthbert Amphitheater where they were working at a Donate Life table. Walt lived in Corvallis an hour north of me and we got to be good friends. He and Kimberly went through his successful Hep C interferon and Ribaviron treatment – those were the days of feeling like you had really bad flu, with other shitty side effects, for a year of treatment. He was one of the lucky ones whose Hep C was cured and he stuck around in the Hep C folder to support other people as they went through treatment. It seems like his closest friends are from the Hep C folder. He also stood up for the people in the Hep C folder who were trolled, harassed and chased away by the religious right wing zoners. He was a stand up guy in all regards.
Walt was in pain for ~25 years from a fall in a bridge building accident where his back was shattered. He didn’t complain, he took life in stride.
He did complain about doctors and their offices not being on time, following through, and telling the truth. As that got to be how he spent more of his life he had more to complain about. We spoke often, partly so he could have a reality check about living and dying with cancer. We told each other the truth.
What he never complained about was Kimberly, whom he loved as much as a person can love another person, except to say that he wished she’d take more time for herself instead of being so attentive to him. He used to say that he’d waited 50 years for her and he never wanted to cause her any pain. They got a rescue dog last year, Bailey, and she was a source of joy and exercise for him. He also loved restoring their VW Westfalia, old select stereo components, music, his friends and family. He was a really dear man. Going to miss you so much, Walt.
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: long live the dead
@@@@@@@ WALT @@@@@@@
@@@@@@@ WALT @@@@@@@
life is so damn precious
peace to Kimberly, All.........
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: The Sound of Steam and Caffeine
(((Walt)))
(((Walt)))
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: gypsy tailwind
((( Walt )))
((( Walt )))
{{{ Kimberly }}}
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: LowCountry
Bless you Walt - I've never
Bless you Walt - I've never met ya face to face, but i always appreciated your kindness here & on the ol' PZ. You walked a hard road for quite a few yrs, but i'd bet you hardly b*tched about your day to day. Instead - posted postivity & carried yourself in that manner. I'm very sorry to hear this news. Love & Mercy to your Wife & Family & Friends.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Def. High
Big love to Walt and
Big love to Walt and Kimberley.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Furious E
Fuck :(
Fuck
that's super shitty.
he was a very sweet man and will b missed
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry
Photo/s?
Photo/s?
I hope I handle whatever may come half as well as it sounds like Walt did.
Carry on.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alias
Well that sucks. I did not
Well that sucks. I did not know him well but got to hang with him a few times at Hangtown. He was Mr. Positivity, really enjoyed his smiling presence. :(
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: _
Strong Zoner, thoughts with
Awful news.
I didn't know him but I saw him posting here. Strong Zoner, thoughts with his wife & family.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Thumbkinetic
Aw. Damn.
Aw. Damn.
Condolences to Walt's loved ones.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Druba
Sad news, strength to all his
Sad news, strength to all his loved ones during these difficult times (at least he's free from his pain)
I'm curious if I've met him before, his name / story sounds real familiar...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
Noodler, he and Kimberly used
Noodler, he and Kimberly used the Bill Frisell tickets at OSU, I might have told you a bit about him.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jeff
Fuck. Another one down. Life
Fuck. Another one down. Life is precious indeed.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Druba
That might be it, though we
That might be it, though we didn't meet up at that show (I got there with crew late, i'm sure we stood out, lol, as I commandeered all available chairs for our group of 6, oh, got to ask Bill a question too!)
Corvallis is a pretty small town sometimes... I was thinking Squirrels Tavern, since that's a local watering hole (or could be my radiology tenure), either way, RIP to another kind soul
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: utahmountaingirl
I'm so sorry to hear this
I'm so sorry to hear this news. He seemed like such a nice person. Much love going out to Kimberly, his love. I can't imagine.
Hold those you love close. Remember tomorrow is never promised.
RIP Walt. You'll be missed.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: St. Mark
Very sad news. Wishing Walt's
Very sad news. Wishing Walt's friends and family peace.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
In my backyard in 2009. L-to
In my backyard in 2009. L-to-R, Walt, Kimberly, me, Mack (I can't remember Mack's PZ name). Mack died a couple of years ago from cancer. He'd had a liver transplant necessitated by Hep C damage to his liver. Another sweet and strong guy. FUCK CANCER!
(That's amaranth growing in the garden, not out of Walt's head.)
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Druba
Great picture, thanks for
Great picture, thanks for sharing Judit!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha
Bummer deal, another good one
Bummer deal, another good one down.
Best to Kimberly and all those who loved Walt.
Glad you guys were able to gather. That's one impressive group of humans.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: DNB - Best band & fans in the land!
RIP to a caring, kind man
RIP to a caring, kind man with a heart of gold...
Walt, I wish I'd made the effort to get to know you better... I'm in awe of the strength and resolve and positivity you exhibited even when you were very sick
love to all, no exceptions
here's a photo I took of Mark D and Walt on 10/26/2014 at the Hangtown Halloween Ball, in Placerville, CA... these were some great times
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
Mark has a couple of good old
Nice pic, Gary. Thanks.
Mark has a couple of good old pics of Walt including one with long hair, how he used to look. I hope he'll post them.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Bob
Deepest condolences and
Deepest condolences and healing vibes to all.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Rasputin O'Leary
What jamspace said.
What jamspace said.
Like a stream locamotive
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jazfish
Walt, Rest in Peace.
Walt, Rest in Peace.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
I first met Walt over in the
I first met Walt over in the hepC folder in 2004. We were all doing that fucking interferon/ribaviron crap that was like having the flu for a whole yr. A bunch of us hung out there because we knew folks there understood. We had great advice for each other and shared much science, humor and whatnot. One of the things always stressed here, was as Tom would say, GO TO THE SHOW! Live music just made the suffering that much easier to deal with. With that in mind, Walt,Cap'n Budley and I decided to go up for the Trinity Tribal Stomp in Aug or Sept of that yr(2004). Cap'n lived on his boat "Skookum" in Oakland, Walt Lived in Placerville, and I was down in Long Beach.. So we decided to meet up for the first time there on his boat. Llary showed up to meet everyone also, but he did not go north with us. So, it was dark by the time I got to Oakland, and had to be let in the gate. I called Walt and he came to let me in. It was really strange, but when I got my first glimpse of Walt walking up under the street light, I knew right then that we would be life long friends. I can't explain it, but I just knew it. Some time later when we were looking back at that night, he admitted to the same feelings in that instance. He became one of the best friends I have ever had. Maybe the one I most admired and looked up to( he was a bit taller). Even after he moved north to Corvalis, we still managed to see each other several times a yr. Whenever DNB was in Oregon Walt would catch at least one show. And every yr he would come down and meet me in Placerville for Hangtown(each of the first 5 yrs of Hangtown). And we ruled Hangtown. Got VIP RV passes each yr(after the first one) and had the best times ever.
I was supposed to drive up and see him tomorrow. When we talked a few days ago, he was talking Hangtown this yr. He thought maybe he could make it. Or at least that is what he said. I would have been up there this week, but he asked me to wait till this next week because so many were coming this week and he wanted to be ble to spend a lot of time with me. Turned out he did not have that time left. I am heartbroken because I have lost such a great friend, and Kimberly has lost so much more, but at least he is out of the pain now. Even before cancer struck, he was in constant pain from the bridge collapse. And was in so much pain at the end that they had to induce coma as the only relief.
The world is such a lesser place now without him in it.
I love you Walt. Rest In Peace my brother.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
(No subject)
When Walt and I first met Judit.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
When Walt was unable to
When Walt was unable to attend Hangtown.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
From 2006 or 2007 at Judit's
From 2006 or 2007 at Judit's place in Eugene.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: .............
Sorry for your loss, to all
Sorry for your loss, to all who knew and loved him...
(((RIP WALT)))
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Joe
Rip Walt ,may the 4 winds
Rip Walt ,may the 4 winds take you home
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mylar
Wishing everyone peace, love
Wishing everyone peace, love and strength. {{{{{{{Walt}}}}}}}
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Highnote
Condolences to those who hurt
Condolences to those who hurt.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Deadly
He sounds like a person I
He sounds like a person I would like to know.
Peace to Kimberly and all those who knew him.
]]]]]]]]] Walt [[[[[[[[
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: nebulous nelly
Condolences to Kimberley,
Condolences to Kimberley, walt's family and his friends.
RIP Walt.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: cb
RIP Walt
RIP Walt
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: I rang a silent bell
Condolences to Mark D, and
Condolences to Mark D, and all of Walt’s friends and family.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
Walt was always a good Zoner,
Walt was always a good Zoner, and it sounds like an even better friend.
My condolences to Kimberly, Mark D., Judit and all of his friends and family.
Peace, Walt.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: 19.5 Degrees
My condolences to all of Walt
My condolences to all of Walt's family and friends.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Bluelight
Very sad news. My condolences
Very sad news. My condolences as well.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
Walt and Kimberly 2010 (pic
Walt and Kimberly 2010 (pic by Llary (9lives) who also posted memories in the Hep C folder)
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: nevergetenough
Fare Thee Well Walt !!!
Fare Thee Well Walt !!!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Zzzzzz
Wishing all of Walt's friends
Wishing all of Walt's friends and family much love and peace.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sycamore Slough
My condolences to Walt's many
My condolences to Walt's many Friends & Family. Nice to hear all of your warm memories.
Never met Walt, although I lived in / around Corvallis in the 1990's and 2000's. No doubt we attended many of the same shows at WOW Hall, McDonald Theatre, Hult Center & the Cuthbert, plus the tiny places in Corvallis that have bands once in a while.
Thanks all for sharing your stories.
RIP.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sound and Vision
sorry to hear RIP Walt
sorry to hear
RIP Walt
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sun so hot, clouds so low
Peace and good memories to
Peace and good memories to Walt's family and friends.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jonaspond
Thanks for sharing your
Thanks for sharing your memories.
Rest easy Walt.
((Zoner Down))
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: _________
RIP Walt - Condolences To
RIP Walt - Condolences To Family and Friends -- thank you all for sharing pics and remembrances
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sless is Best
So sad to hear this, he was a
So sad to hear this, he was a sweetheart
we have lost so many dear friends.... enjoy every day
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Jack Fate
My condolences and sadness is
My condolences and sadness is shared here with all of you. RIP Walt. Another fine man and friend to many taken too soon from us. I send prayers and strength to his family.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Tim
RIP Walt
RIP Walt
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: An organ grinder’s tune
sorry markd and all that knew
sorry markd and all that knew him.
RIP
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: O'Toole
RIP Walt, gone too soon.
RIP Walt, gone too soon.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Across
I had the pleasure to meet
I had the pleasure to meet and spend some time with Walt at Hangtown in 2015. We were living in Volcano at the time, not far from Placerville and I remember the conversations we had about living that part of the foothills as we both really loved the area. It was so easy and comfortable to talk with him that weekend, like we were old friends. I was looking forward to getting together for years at upcoming Hangtown fests when his health began to betray him again and never got the chance.
I am thankful for the brief time I was able to spend with him, and am at least happy he is in no more pain. My heart goes out to his wife, MarkD, Judit and all others who were close to him. The world would be a whole lot better with more people like Walt to bless it.
Rest In Peace Walt, and know you will be missed.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
I forgot to mention that Walt
I forgot to mention that Walt treasured intelligent conversation, literary references, people who gave him things to think about. He was smart and funny and really valued good people. He didn't tolerate fools or assholes gladly.
As his PZ handle reflected, he loved airplanes and had studied small plane mechanics. He could tell from the sound of a plane flying what kind of engine it had before he could see it.
He will surely be missed.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Astro
RIP brother.. :(
RIP brother.. :(