J. Walter Gearhart

John Walter Gearhart 1936 - 2021 J. Walter Gearhart's memorable life ended quietly the night of Friday, November 26, 2021. He will be remembered as a gracious, compassionate, and generous man. Walt was born May 22, 1936 in Tacoma, Washington to John W. Gearhart and Lucy Gearhart (née Wittene). As a child he was known as a prankster and to dabble in magic tricks. Years later he still could palm a coin and then pull it from someone's ear. Walter graduated from Lincoln High School in 1954 and attended the University of Washington with a ROTC scholarship and a major in Sociology. He received a Master's from Pacific Lutheran University. While at the UW he met Marilyn Viebrock, whom he married in 1959. Walt's working career started early and lasted long. One of Walt's most memorable jobs was watering the elephants when the circus came to Tacoma. Also while growing up in Tacoma he washed dishes at school in exchange for lunches (apparently labor laws worked differently at the time), delivered newspapers, and in high school drove over the mountains to work the summer harvests in eastern Washington. While at the University of Washington he enrolled in the Navy's ROTC program, pumped gas at a full-service station along Aurora Avenue, and worked as a steward on a private yacht. After graduating from the UW in 1958, Walt served two years in the Navy as an intelligence officer in Kodiak, Alaska. This was in the midst of the Cold War, and one of Walt's tasks was to distinguish covert Soviet ships from the legitimate U.S. fishing boats plying the waters of Alaska. After his two years of Naval service, Walt, Marilyn, and newly-born daughter Cami migrated back south to Washington state. Walt worked for the state government first in Kennewick, then in Seattle, and finally in Olympia, where the family moved to in 1968 with toddler Jim now in tow. Over a twenty-six-year career with the state, Walt worked as a parole officer, a corrections officer, and as an administrator of one of the state government's first major computer networks. While in Olympia, Walt also served as the Chair and administrator of an ethics board for reviewing medical research. After retiring from the state, Walt co-founded Quorum Review, another ethics review service, that ended up employing 200 people. In 1991 Walt and Marilyn relocated from Olympia to Douglas and instantly became active members of that community. They raised alpacas and golden retrievers on their farm, and sponsored the renovation of the St. Paul's Church where the two had married back in 1959. In addition to running the farm, renovating a church building and co-founding Quorum Review, in "retirement" Walt also found time to direct Chelan County's regional mental health network. It's probably obvious that Walt was an industrious man, but all work and no play was not his motto. He knew how to have fun and to ensure everyone around him did, too. Walt enjoyed giving ski lessons to his children, his nieces and nephew. He coached youth soccer for years. At an annual family reunion, he was always counted on to organize a multi-generational softball game, and as permanent pitcher he ensured that even the youngest player connected bat with ball. When he and Marilyn began raising and training golden retrievers, they discovered that dog shows provided an excellent reason to travel the country and was a means to making new, lasting friendships. Walt was generous with his time and his resources. While in Douglas he founded and chaired the Douglas County Historical Association, supported the Nature Conservancy, sponsored the renovation of the iconic St. Paul's Church in Douglas, led and supported the Wenatchee Kennel Club, and assisted many other charities. Walt and Marilyn were active members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Olympia, and while in Douglas they joined the congregation of Celebration Lutheran Church in East Wenatchee. Sadly, in his last years Walt faced the deteriorating effects of Alzheimer's. Still, throughout the disease's progression Walt retained his energy and determination. His caregivers recall the charm and sense of humor that characterized Walt even during his last days. J. Walter Gearhart passed on Friday, November 26. He is survived by Marilyn, his adored wife of 62 years; his sister Gertrude Waller; his daughter Cami; his son Jim; and six grandchildren: Alex, Max, and Sam Burner; and Michael, Jessica, and Nicole Gearhart. You can view a Livestream of Walter's Service on the church website: www.clcewen.org and click on "Livestream"

J. Walter Gearhart

May 22, 1936 - November 26, 2021