Walter G. Henderson

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University of Colorado University of Nebraska

Walter Henderson Obituary

Walter G. Henderson 12/19/1930 – 4/2/2011 Walter G. Henderson was raised on a ranch in southwestern South Dakota. He received a B.S. degree from the University of Nebraska in 1953 followed by a law degree from the University of Colorado in 1957. He proudly served our nation as a First Lieutenant in the Marine Corps before pursuing a career in the private sector. For the next 35 years, Walter served in various legal, administrative and managerial capacities for the El Paso Natural Gas Company in El Paso, Texas. He was elected an Executive Vice President of the Company in 1980 and served as a member of the Board of Directors and its various subsidiaries. During his employment with El Paso Natural Gas, Walter served as a Director of the Southern Gas Association and on the Operating Committee of the Pacific Coast Gas Association. Throughout his career, Walter maintained an interest in the family ranching concerns in both South Dakota and Montana. Following his retirement, Walter and his wife, Pamela, moved to Tucson where they were involved in many organizations including The Santa Fe Opera, St. Philips in the Hills and, most especially, the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. Walter served on the Board of Trustees of the Desert Museum from 1995-2000. In 2003, Walter received the Luminaria Award recognizing him as an individual who helped to illuminate the path to the Desert Museum's future. Walter is predeceased by his parents, Andrew and Agnes Henderson; brother, Murray Henderson; sister, Maxine Hubbard and his faithful dog and companion, Miles. He is survived by his wife, Pamela; his son, Dr. Kevin Henderson and daughter, Jennifer McDowell, as well as their respective spouses, Karen Henderson and Ian McDowell. Additionally, Walter is survived by his remaining siblings: Howard Henderson (Sharon) Miles City, Montana, Mary Girard (Joseph) Columbus, Ohio, Gertrude Crosby, Hershey, Pennsylvania and Robert Henderson (Pat) Cheyenne, Wyoming. Lastly, "G.P." is survived by his four grandchildren, Sarah, Orion, Kate and Duncan. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Philip's in the Hills, 4440 North Campbell, Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to one of the following: Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum, 2021 North Kinney Rd., Tucson AZ 85743 (Development Office), St. Philip's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 65840, Tucson, AZ 85728 and The Imago Dei Middle School, 639 North 6th Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705. Arrangements by DESERT ROSE CREMATION AND BURIAL.

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Published by Arizona Daily Star from Apr. 16 to Apr. 17, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Walter Henderson

9 Entries

Dave

January 1, 2023

I didn't know Walter, but he seems like a great man. I just wanted to say I ended up with his custom taylored sport coat probably from an estate sale or it being donated and passed to me through other sales, either way it lives on and it always gets comments about what a classy jacket it is, and i tell Walter's story. Cheers.

Dave L. Gilbert Az.

Don Dinger

April 10, 2020

We will always treasure the wonderful trip we shared with Walter, Pam and the Harbors! Don and Ann Dinger

Donald Dinger

April 10, 2019

Walter was a wonderful man and a true gentleman.

Ralph Altamirano

August 29, 2011

Dear Mrs. Henderson,

My deepest sympathy into regards of your late husband. I just found out that you husband had past away. My name is Ralph and used to work with Mike Jenkins with Tanque Verde Electric and we ( my wife and I) are very sorry for your loss. He was a very nice man. May God Bless you and your family. Once again, our deepest sympathy.

Lawrence (Larry) V. Robertson, Jr.

April 26, 2011

Pam, My name is Larry Robertson. I do not know if you will remember me, but you and I first met one another either shortly before or after Walter and you had become engaged. In all likelihood, it would have been in Washington, D.C. since that is usually where Walter and I had occasion to see one another.

I first met Walter in 1969 in the context of an El Paso rate case before the then Federal Power Commission (now FERC) in which I was representing Southwest Gas Corporation. Thereafter, Walter and I had occasion to frequently interact with one another in connection with a number of subsequent proceedings in which I was representing Southwest Gas or Tucson Electric Power Company. In later years, after I had moved to Washington, D.C. from the west to assume a position with the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, I would see Walter less frequently. However, on those occasions it was always both a privilege and a pleasure to be able to interact with him.

Walter had a significant influence upon my development as a regulatory attorney. The words "highly intelligent" simply do not do justice to Walter. More specifically, he possessed a capacity for comprehensive strategic thinking and a discipline and precision in the use of language (oral or written) which I had not previously experienced, and have rarely seen in others whom I have since met. I was a 31-year old attorney at the time, and in subsequent years have come to appreciate how much I have tried to emulate those qualities which seem so natural with Walter. In that regard, to describe his contributions to El Paso during his tenure with the company as "enormous" would also be inadequate.

Another aspect of Walter of which I became aware in later years during our association was his love for motorcycles. To be honest, I would never have guessed it!

I last saw Walter sometime during the 1995-1996 time period when we lunched together after I returned to Tucson from a second career tour of duty in Washington, D.C. If I recall correctly, you and he were either then living in Green Valley or had recently moved to Tucson. He appeared to be very happy and it was quite evident that marriage with you had served him extremely well.

The obituary listing of Walter's post-retirement activities was quite impressive. It also was not surprising, given Walter's capabilities and high energy level. It also presented a picture which would suggest that the two of you had been very happy together, and I certainly hope that was the case.

Pardon the foregoing lengthiness, but I wanted to express my own personal tribute to Walter. Unfortunately, I will be in Phoenix tomorrow and thus unable to attend the Memorial Service at St. Phillips.

Warmest regards,

Larry Robertson

Don and Ann Dinger

April 23, 2011

Walter was a great friend and a true gentleman. We have many great memories and we will miss him greatly.

John Cunningham

April 20, 2011

Walter was both a friend and an advocate from very early in my career at El Paso Natural Gas. You will very much be missed and all of you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Jane & Willie Hardin

April 17, 2011

Pam,Kevin,Jennifer,and families,
All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Remember all the fun things you did together.

Jerry Tucker

April 17, 2011

Walter was a great friend, confidant and perfect lunch companion. Walter, you are missed but memories of our times together will live on forever with me.
Thank you, good friend.

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