Walter Richard DeGroot

Walter "Walt" DeGroot, 84, a lifelong resident of Arlington, VA passed away on August 15, 2021 of Pulmonary Fibrosis. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Merle W. DeGroot, and three children; Cheryl A. Marsh, Jill D. Burrer (Dan) and Steven D. DeGroot (Kim), seven grandchildren and his sister Sandra Hobbs.

He attended Washington Lee High School and was drafted into the Army in June of 1953. He served in Dachau, Germany until he was honorably discharged in 1955. He worked at Atlantic Research Corp. and held two patents for devices that support firefighters. He joined the CIA in 1971. In the CIA, he was a career officer in the Office of Technical Service in the Directorate of Science and Technology providing many one-of a-kind solutions to support clandestine operations run by the Directorate of Operations. He was known as the "Father of a New Generation of Secure Rooms" that were installed in Embassies around the world. He retired from the CIA in 1993.

During his life he volunteered as an Explorer Scout Leader with Troop #167, a Volunteer Firefighter and is a Life Member of Company 4 in Arlington. He taught First Aid classes for the American Red Cross, served as a Docent at Arlington House, Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Center and Harper’s Ferry. He portrayed Santa Claus at retirement homes, Community Centers and at Ballston Commons Mall for the Arlington JayCee’s and was the 1864 Santa at Harper’s Ferry. He was also a Civil War re-enactor with the 3rd US as a recruiter.

He was a private pilot who enjoyed flying and was also an avid boater who enjoyed sailing on his boat the

"First Class". At heart he was an engineer who loved to build including a dune buggy, hydroplane boat, two airplanes, swing set for his kids and games for fairs at schools. He loved traveling both for work and pleasure. He was a people person who enjoyed telling stories about his work, his experiences and about Civil War history.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Va. 22203, on August 28, 2021 at 1:00 pm. Internment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Walt’s name to Capitol Care, Arlington Team 1051, 3180 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church, Va. 22042.