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View a eulogy for Ronald Lee Walter, USMA '65, who passed away on June 2, 2015.

Ronald Lee Walter

West Point, 1965

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Dan Bieger on November 12, 2015:

Ron understood duty. Many are aware of his service in Vietnam but few realize how he performed the duty of a son to his father. At the end, when his father was engulfed in Alzheimer's, he took over his dad's bathing, dressing, feeding, tending - day in, day out. I can't report exactly how long that eternity of care lasted, I remember it was at least six months but must have been much longer. His love for the man undoubtedly played a significant role in his care but any suggestion of turning that care over to professionals never troubled him long, if at all. He paid his debt to his parents with grace, humor, and unstinting faithfulness. One more instance in a long line of instances of living his faith.

To live with honor, a man needs a set of morals he can live with and the tenacity to attempt to live within them. For the fifteen years I worked with Ron, he began everyday at the office with time devoted to reading his Bible. He'd arrive early enough so that activity would not interfere with his work and that work would not interfere with his reading. What he derived from that practice, what I noticed was his loyalty to his family, his friends and his employees. Even with those he did not care for, he backed them in times of turmoil, praised them when they succeeded, and did his best to help them recover when they failed. I never heard Ron swear though I know there were times I and a few others gave him cause.

Ron loved a good argument. Over the years, he and I argued politics, the military and its vagaries, the meaning of life and death, and the value of religion. As he wrote his final thesis, we laughed and argued, agreed and disagreed, re-arranged the format at least three times, and had some of our discussions driving our wives from the room as we debated what spirituality means. He knew where he stood and defended himself patiently, forcefully, and effectively. And we had a ball. I remember, too, the arguments we had in our business, the disagreements we had and the moments of high tension. I remember the times afterward when he apologized and the times that I did so as well. Once over, they were over. Ron didn't seem to hold grudges.

I think Ron was a good man, one the best I've ever known.

Dan Bieger

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