Walter N Weiler

Walt was born in Omaha, Nebraska on September 25th, 1943, the only child of Curtis and Margaret Weiler. Though he would remain a diehard University of Nebraska sports fan, Walt studied at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, receiving his Bachelor’s in 1965 and MBA in 1967. He served in the Army from 1968 to 1973, including 13 months as Transportation Officer in Vietnam, retiring as First Lieutenant.

Walt spent most of his professional life in industrial packaging and paper, first with Dixon Paper, headquartered in Denver, and subsequently with International Paper as Group Vice President within the distribution division and General Manager of Phoenix operations. Walt’s time in Vietnam shaped his leadership, and he cared for his troops with unfailing loyalty and respect, whether in the Army or in the office.

Walt and his wife Ann became parents while he was serving in Vietnam, with the birth of their daughter Lori, followed four years later by their daughter Amy. Walt and Ann divorced in 1985, and in 1987 Walt married Judy Bear. The two merged their families-Lori and Amy with Judy’s children Mindy, Greg, and Rebecca. Walt was the beloved patriarch of this tight-knit blended family, which expanded over the years to include children-in-law and eventually 16 grandchildren. He was a hands-on grandpa, sharing his love of sports and games with his grandchildren-getting out onto the baseball field to practice for Little League season, settling in for a days-long game of Monopoly, and supporting his grandchildren through dozen if not hundreds of volleyball tournaments, swim meets, ballet performances, horse shows, softball games, tennis matches, and football games.

Walt believed in showing up, and show up he did. When Walt committed to something you had his word-he was a rock. This was true not only for his family but for his work, his community, his church, his neighborhood. Every work day he was in the Starbucks drive-thru at 5 am on the dot on the way to the office. You needed him to hang drywall at a Habitat for Humanity construction site, or usher at Christmas Eve services, or pick someone up who could no longer drive, he was there.

Walt measured those around him in integrity, not in wealth or accomplishments. He grew up and worked in a time when people were often pigeonholed based on their race, sex, religion, or education level, but he treated everyone he met with equal respect and kindness. He made a point to get to know everyone, whether the 5 am barista or the person working the gym front desk, realizing the value of these everyday human connections and the importance of really seeing someone and knowing their name. He remembered the things that were important to those around him. In the time he spent with his grandchildren, whether throwing a ball or playing a card game, his lessons had more to do with kindness, camaraderie, and fair play than with the game at hand.

Walt embraced life fully. His passions included Las Vegas, horse races, ‘50s rock ‘n roll, World War II history, college basketball (and watching almost every sport), ice cream, and Pink Panther movies. He delighted in hosting friends and family for drinks and dinner-with his warmth and sense of humor, Walt was a gracious host who made everyone feel right at home. Walt and Judy put down deep roots in over 30 years in Scottsdale, Arizona, having relocated for Walt’s job. However they had always intended to return to Colorado, and did so in retirement in 2018, reconnecting with their old communities and building new ones.

Walt is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Judy Weiler, and children Lori and Dan Groustra of Littleton, Amy and Erne Henson of Phoenix, Mindy and Steve Aumiller of Colorado Springs, Greg Bear and Molly Kertzer of Seattle, and Rebecca Bear of Seattle. He was the revered Grandpa Walt to Sophia and Allison Groustra; Morgan Tang; William and Justine Henson; Sabrina Green; Amber, Nathan, Wyatt, Cooper, and Ruth Aumiller; Sam, Jack, and Charlie Bear; and Maia and Chloe Bear.

In honor of Walt’s military service he will be buried with full military honors at Fort Logan Cemetery in Colorado. A memorial service will be held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch on June 25th at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations that contribute to one of the organizations Walt supported and volunteered for, such as St. Luke’s Methodist Church or Colorado Coalition of the Homeless (in support of homeless veterans), or a gift in his memory to a community organization meaningful to you.