Walter Raleigh Donaldson, 74, of North Potomac, Maryland died May 2, 2021 at home, peacefully, surrounded by his family after a 22 month battle with Glioblastoma. He was born November 6, 1946 in Laurel, Maryland to Alton and Mary London (Noe) Donaldson.
Walter is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jean Anne (Hobson) Donaldson, and daughters, Vicki Einsel (Carlton), Kristin Vanderlinden (Nathan) Cigdem Divakar (Raj); grandsons Julian Einsel, Liam Einsel, Logan Vanderlinden, August Vanderlinden; Three sisters Mary Anna Jones (Richard), Sallie Rappold (John), Marion Gail Phillips (Lee), brother Alton Donaldson, Jr.; sister-in-law Heidi Sullivan, brother-in-law Kenneth Miller (Karen); many loving nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Walt, or Raleigh to his family and close friends, led a life full of adventures. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and conservationist. He enjoyed traveling and playing golf.
At the age of 18, after saving the life of a boy and a police officer in a drowning accident, Walt was awarded numerous awards for extreme heroism. These included awards from the Red Cross, the Anne Arundel County Police, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Walt was active in supporting research for Autoimmune Encephalitis (AE) at Children’s National Medical Center. He contributed to many charitable groups and to Saint Nicholas Episcopal Church, where he was a member.
Walter was also a real estate industry icon, having spent over 50 years as a leader in the property management industry where he inspired, coached and mentored countless management professionals and impacted thousands upon thousands of lives for the better. After a successful career as an executive at Dreyfuss Brothers and then Grady Management, Walter founded The Donaldson Group, his eponymous company, in 1998 and The Donaldson Group continues to thrive by honoring Walter’s legacy of compassion and integrity.
Everyone is welcome to attend a visitation at Joseph Gawler's & Sons Funeral home at 5130 Wisconsin Avenue NW, DC 20016, on Friday, June 18 from 4:00-8:00 PM. A private funeral service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers Walt requested donations be made to:
Children's National Hospital fund for Autoimmune Encephalitis.
Children National Hospital Fund
Attention: Marian Brodsky
One Inventa Place
6th Floor WEST
Silver Spring, MD 20910
DONATIONS
Children's National Hospital Fund for Autoimmune Encephalitis: Children's National Hospital Fund Attn: Marian Brodsky1 Inventa Place, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
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