WALTER A. VONNEGUT

Walter A. Vonnegut (Colonel), 90, long-time resident of Anacortes, passed away peacefully at his home, on January 9, 2013, surrounded by family.

He is remembered as a husband, father, actor, director, carpenter, master craftsman, and book lover who instilled a lifelong love of reading in his children.

Those who have known him for many years call him Colonel, a childhood nickname. He was born in Kentucky, spent his childhood in New York City and Hollywood. His teen years were spent in Indianapolis, during which time he and Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (cousin and author) were great pals.

He wed Helen McFarland in 1943, and was married 50 years until her untimely death in 1994.

During World War II he served as a navigator on a B-17. In November 1943 he had to bail out of the stricken aircraft over enemy held territory. He was a prisoner of war in Germany until May, 1945.

After the war he, with his wife Helen and son Kit, moved from Indianapolis to Guemes Island, living for a time in a log house he built, and later in a newer home he also built, on a bluff overlooking the water. During the early years on Guemes there was no electricity or telephone service, and he, with others, was instrumental in bringing electricity to the island. During this period, his son Ken was born. He taught at the Guemes Island one-room schoolhouse, instructing grades one through three. He then transferred to Anacortes where he taught math at Central Junior High, and later English and Drama at Anacortes High School. He retired in 1978. He served as Director of Head Start for two years. He earned a Bachelors Degree from the University of Chicago, and a Masters Degree in Drama from the University of Washington.

In 1962 the family moved from Guemes Island to Anacortes, where he has resided ever since.

Walter has spent a lifetime in the theatre. His parents, Walter Vonnegut and Marjorie Potts Vonnegut, were professional actors. Walter lived with his mother in New York City, and both appeared in productions there, including the original Broadway production of Ah Wilderness. He was eleven years old at the time. While a prisoner during World War II he was involved in many of the theatrical presentations in the prison camp. In 1964 he was one of the founding members of the Anacortes Community Theatre, and is fondly remembered as an active participant in many shows over a more than 40-year span as director, actor, set builder and board member.

He was a builder, a master carpenter who is responsible for many projects and home improvements in his own homes, as well as many in the homes of his sons, friends and in the Anacortes United Methodist Church.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Helen M. Vonnegut, and his sister Ruth Carroll, of San Diego.

He is survived by his wife Jean, whom he married in 1995, and his two sons, Kit Vonnegut (Beth) of Lynden, and Ken Vonnegut (Kari) of Bow, grandsons Bruce Vanderpool and Sean Vonnegut, both of Seattle, Danny Donnelly (Mount Vernon), and Eirik Donnelly (Los Angeles), and son-and-daughter-in-law Larry and Alba Stevens, of Anacortes.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Anacortes Community Theatre in his name or to Hospice of the Northwest.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at the Anacortes United Methodist Church, 2201 H Avenue, Anacortes, WA. A private family graveside service will be held at Grand View Cemetery in Anacortes.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Walter, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.