Walter Sullivan

WALT SULLIVAN IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Walter Hugh Sullivan, 60, of Idaho Falls, died October 27, 2005, at his home of cancer. He was under the loving care of his family and Hospice of Eastern Idaho. Walt was born March 25, 1945 in Phoenix, Arizona, to Joseph Walter Sullivan and Dorothy Elizabeth Wedell Sullivan. He grew up and attended schools in Silver City, New Mexico, graduating from Western High School in 1963. Walt’s leadership abilities blossomed early in his life and he served as class president of his senior class. He was very active in various school clubs and sports. Walt served our Country in the Navy’s Nuclear Submarine Force from 1963 – 1974 rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. His honorable years of service were marked with several medals for his service. His tours of duty included the nuclear submarine USS Swordfish and USS Sea Dragon in the Vietnam War. Part of his navy career was spent in Idaho Falls, ID, first as a student and then two tours of duty as an instructor at the Navy Nuclear Training Unit. On November 13, 1971, he married Elaine Schow in Elko, NV. They lived in Honolulu, Hawaii, during the remainder of his naval career. When he left the navy, he returned to Idaho Falls with his family. He entered Idaho State University and graduated magna cum laude in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science. Walt went on to graduate with a Master of Hydrology in 1997 from University of Idaho. Throughout his college career he maintained a 4.00 grade point average. He was a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, Master Level, by the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management and a Certified Manager from the Institute of Certified Professional Managers. Following his Navy service, Walt worked for some 28 years for several contractors at the DOE Idaho National Laboratory. In 1992, he was awarded the Manager of the Year for the M&O Contractor EG&G, a highly coveted award. He enjoyed the challenges his various technical and management positions afforded him and always strived to meet these challenges. His contributions were key in the successful completion of many laboratory milestones, among them, implementation of DOE’s Integrated Safety Management System and the Voluntary Protection Program that enhanced worker protection. In 2001 Walt joined North Wind, Inc. as a Senior Vice President. His leadership and support of North Wind were instrumental in capturing new opportunities and helping in establishing the strategic growth direction of the company. He was highly respected by all employees and was awarded North Wind’s Manager of the Year in 2002. He recognized the value of people and made a point to develop a genuine relationship with every employee with whom he worked and managed. Walt embodied integrity and was respected as a man of character who could be counted on when times got tough. Walt was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served in various positions including Elder, Deacon and Presbyterian Youth Leader. He dearly loved singing in the Westminster Choir. Walt and his wife traveled with the Choir to Vienna in December, 1997, where the choir performed by invitation for the “Advent Happening”. The Choir performed at several cathedrals, the Vienna City Hall and the Open Market. When his children were young, Walt was very involved as a coach for Western Boys Baseball and YMCA Indian Princesses. Most recently he was a member of the Rotary Club and active in civic and community events. All through his entire life Walt loved the outdoors and spent many hours hiking and mountain climbing. He reached his goal of topping all the mountains surrounding his cabin near Henry’s Lake in Island Park, ID. His numerous hobbies included running, fishing, biking, studying astronomy, studying the geology of the area and gathering rocks every place he went. His adventurous spirit and thirst for knowledge made him a life long student, always looking to be part of the solution, never the problem. Walt was a mentor to many people because of his profound integrity and vast knowledge of countless topics. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him. Walt was a very loving husband, father, and grandfather. Survivors include his wife, Elaine: daughters Hollie (Dennis) Gray and Heather (Chris) Chapple; granddaughters Aspen and Cloey Gray and Madison Chapple, all of Idaho Falls, sister Kari (Bob) Scullion and brother Eddie Hughes both of Silver City, New Mexico, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Doug Sullivan, father Joe Sullivan, mother, Dorothy Hughes and step-father Olney Hughes. Memorial Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 1, 2005, at the Idaho Falls First Presbyterian Church, 325 Elm Street, with the Reverend Dr. Dennis Falasco officiating. The family will visit with friends from Monday from 7:30 until 9:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, and also from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday before the services at the Presbyterian Church. Burial will be at the Rose Hill Cemetery. Everyone is invited to a “Celebration” of Walt’s life which will be held Tuesday from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at O’Callahan’s Restaurant in the Shilo Inn, 780 Lindsay Blvd. In lieu of flowers, a fund has been established by the family to benefit Walt’s desire to establish a Boron Neutron Cancer Treatment Center in Idaho Falls. Donations can be made to the W. H. Sullivan BNCT Fund c/o The Bank of Idaho, P O Box 1487, Idaho Falls, ID 83403. ______________________________________________ Condolences sent: Alan Brookshier (alab@prodigy.net ) The Brookshier family sends condolences to the Walt Sullivan Family for the recent loss of Walt. Myself and my wife, Peggy, both knew Walt, going back to the mid 70's at the BLM and ISU. We will miss that smile and conversations at our chance meetings in town-- we will truly miss him! Best Regards, Alan and Peggy Brookshier Mike Pilo ( map@inel.gov) I was so sorry to hear of Walt's passing, and please accept my condolences. Like hundreds of others that Walt worked with over the years, I admired his knowledge, cherished his advice, and respected his genuine humanity. He will be sorely missed. Mike Pilo Mitch and MaLinda Meng (mmengrn@hotmail.com) Dear Elaine and Family, So sorry to learn of the passing of your husband and father. May God comfort you at this time of loss. Sincerely, Mitch and MaLinda Meng Sandy Chavez (sgchavez@zianet.com) Dear Elaine: Thinking of you and your family in this time of sorrow. Please know we are praying for you. So glad we had a chance to visit with all of you in Silver City. Peace be with you. With love, Bodie and Sandy Chavez Michael Stimak (michael.stamik@inl.gov) Elaine Sullivan and Family, I am an INL employee who had the opportunity to work with your husband a few years back. We were both going through the Six Sigma certification process together. During that time, I grew nothing but respect for all that Walt stood for in his life. He was always soooooo positive and full of life. My life is forever changed by having this opportunity to know your husband. I will miss him. I will cherish the memory of our friendship. My sincere condolences, Mike Stimak