Walter Ewing

Walter Ewing, 57

Walter once wrote that he was a "depressed addict" and a "misanthrope who hungered for human connection." Without a doubt, Walter was a nakedly honest person who incited us to be honest about ourselves too.

Walter made important contributions throughout his over 20-year career analyzing the impact immigration has on the United States, but more importantly, the impact the United States is having on immigrants. He was a deep subject matter expert on the criminalization of immigration but wrote on topics ranging from the racist legacy of the U.S. Border Patrol to the growing electoral power of immigrants in the United States.

He wrote two books and a copious number of blog posts and essays. His book Immigrant Experiences: Why Immigrants Come to the United States and What They Find When They Get Here was published in 2018 and "weaves together detailed historical and contemporary examples of immigration to the United States that move beyond hackneyed stereotypes about immigrants to give readers a fact-based understanding of why and how immigration occurs."

When he wasn't writing about immigration policy, he was writing under his pen name, Gil A. Waters, about sex, drugs, violence, and mental illness.

In his published Sci-Fi thriller NeuroVont, Incorporated, he writes about Rik, an addicted and depressed working-class guy who attempts to save the world from biological terrorism. He continued to write unpublished science fiction work until his death.

In the back of NeuroVont, Incorporated, there is an interview with Walter. When asked "How has your upbringing colored your writing?" he responded, "I was an only child, extremely shy, a nerd in school... so subjects related to loneliness and alienation creep into just about everything I write. I also went through twelve years of Catholic school which turned me into a devout atheist with an intense dislike of any and all religious doctrines... I grew up in suburbia, so I hate the suburbs and love cities... and both of my parents died rather unpleasant deaths, so death is a central literary theme for me."

Yet, Walter leaned into the hot mess of human existence as much as he lamented it. He was open about his mental health issues and in recent years underwent electroconvulsive therapy, which impacted his memory but gave him some relief from his deep depression. However, that was soon followed by a return of a cancer diagnosis that he had once beat over a decade ago. When the cancer returned, it really hurt. He endured complicated surgeries and recoveries but faced all of it with a bravery and determination that makes one think despite his bleak outlook, he really wanted to be here. No doubt to continue to be a husband and partner to Susan, as well as a dad to his children Bee and Catherine.

He spent the last few months of his life bike riding and loving on his wife and children.

His wife Susan wrote, "Needless to say the hole left is huge. I keep seeing him in the corner of my eyes and hearing his continuous fast keyboard clicking. I feel numb and shocked. I hope he's well remembered for his raw self."

Alas, we all have to face the future without Walter and his dry and onerous wit.

Rest in Peace, brother Walter. This world will not be the same without you and we will miss you terribly.