DAVID ARTHUR WALTER

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DAVID WALTER Obituary

WALTER
DAVID ARTHUR

78, artist, athlete, dancer, musician, perfectionist and relentless seeker of knowledge, died peacefully on March 18, 2019.
David was born in Columbus, Ohio to Reverend A.C. Walter and Marguerite Walter. He graduated from Swarthmore College in 1962 with a degree in Civil Engineering. While in school, he was an All-American lacrosse player and gifted wrestler.
After graduation, he worked for Bethlehem Steel in Minot, North Dakota, building missile silos. From 1964 to 1967 he served in the United States Coast Guard in Asia and the Hawaiian Islands. Starting in 1968 he searched for meaning at the Princeton Theological Seminary, where he came to admire the work of Carl Rogers and developed an appreciation for the art of active listening.
David returned to Swarthmore in the 1970s to become a member of the Admissions Office for 25 years. While at Swarthmore, he took up painting seriously, becoming a successful portrait painter whose work hangs in countless institutions on the east coast.
Upon retirement, he moved into Philadelphia where he continued to paint while also taking up Argentine Tango and became a noted teacher in Eastern Pennsylvania. His love of jazz and classical music gave him a deep appreciation for Argentine Tango music.
He was an accomplished piano, guitar and trumpet player. He learned to speak Mandarin. Self-taught in nearly all of his life pursuits, David excelled at each.
Left behind are his 2 siblings John (Sandy) and Maggie (Vic, deceased); nephews Mike (Elizabeth) and Pete (Zandra); niece Julie (Fegens); cousins Bernard, Chandler, and Ginny; David also leaves many dear friends, including Jackie, Michele, Jim, Chip, Joan, April, Jerry, Jean & Gary, Karen & Jeff, and Kathleen & Eck.
There will be no Viewing or service. A celebration of life dinner for family and friends will be held in May. Please make any donations of remembrance in David's name to your own favorite community that searches for meaning and understanding.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Philadelphia Inquirer/Philadelphia Daily News on Mar. 22, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for DAVID WALTER

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4 Entries

Louise Francis

September 11, 2019

I have just returned from a long trip and when catching up on Swarthmore news learned of Dave's passing. Although I did not keep in touch, I worked with him as a student in the 1970s. I have always fondly recalled his curious, creative, and spiritual nature and unbeknownst to him his life story helped fuel me when I sought out paths less traveled, including when I moved from a corporate-style career to work as a staff member of my graduate school. I will always appreciate his kindness towards me and my co-student workers. We were blessed to have him amongst us. My condolences to his family and friends. For me, his memory is a blessing as I hope it is for others.

Valerie Jarvis

April 28, 2019

When I was first learning tango I tried to learn from as many teachers as I could. David and Jackie would have workshops and he and Jackie were patient teachers and I always enjoyed seeing them perform at events and the Tango Cafe. I just found out today that David has passed and was so saddened to hear the news and my heart and prayers go out to his family and close friends. David - thank you for all of the lessons and the fun at Tango Cafe.

Tony Castro

April 6, 2019

David was my first tango instructor. He was very inspiring and unselfish to share his knowledge of tango or anything that he has deep knowledge. He will be missed greatly not only by his family and friends, but the entire tango community. Thank you, David for sharing your life with us!

Jackie Stahl

March 22, 2019

Whether we were dancing in a tango embrace or almost 3,000 miles apart, Dave's loving care always reached me and I will always be grateful. Such a dear friend, irreplaceable, and now forever missed. My heart and thoughts are with you, Dave, wishing for you the most peaceful, loving, and pain-free place. My thoughts are also with your family and friends, who I hope, in time, can replace their grief with many fond memories of you.