Walter Nelson Propps

Walter Nelson Propps

Veteran, Real Estate Broker and Developer

November 23, 1931 - February 4, 2025

Walter Nelson Propps passed away peacefully at his home in Bethesda on February 4th, 2025.

Walt, known to some as Nelson, was born November 23, 1931 in Washington DC to Walter C. and Evelyn B. Nelson Propps. A descendent of Thomas Nelson Jr. - former Governor of Virginia and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Walt grew up in Northeast Washington DC and Lake Barcroft Virginia. He was, as his wife would assure you, happily married to his college sweetheart Nettie J. Propps for 65 years until her recent death in October 2024.

Walt loved to play sports and played as much football, baseball and basketball as he could while he was growing up in Washington including playing basketball at Langley Jr High. Walt was also a very good boxer! He was undefeated and was ranked as one of the Featherweight Golden Gloves in Washington DC.

Walt was proud to serve his country as an Airborne Air Controller in the United States Navy for 4 faithful years. He flew in submarine hunter aircraft off of 8 different aircraft carriers as part of Attack Squadron VS-27 during the Korean conflict. He also served in the Shore Patrol. In later years he was often seen wearing his VS-27 cap and sharing military stories when given the chance. After he was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1954 he enjoyed flying as a licensed private pilot.

Walt attended McKinley Tech High School ('50) and after his military service he studied government, accounting and business administration at The George Washington University ('59) where he met his future wife Nettie. While at GWU he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa and served on the board.

He became a Certified Public Accountant and went to work with one of The Big Six accounting firms. He also worked with his father in the Family Trucking Company, Farrens Trucking on D Street NE Washington. He helped run the business before selling it to seek a new challenge in real estate.

In 1964 he became Manager of Industrial Sales for the Shannon and Luch's Company, one of the leading real estate firms in the District of Columbia. In 1972 he started his own real estate development company which became Commercial Brokers Real Estate Services.

As a developer, Walt built warehouse, industrial and office properties around the Beltway and as a broker he represented clients with the purchase and sale of all types of real estate. He was also a real estate appraiser for a number of years and was an expert witness in numerous courts. Walt also developed real estate in Costa Rica at the beaches of Nosara.

Walt was a long time member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors Washington DC chapter and he was the second person inducted in Washington to become a member of this elite organization of real estate professionals over 50 years ago. He was also a member of The Greater Washington Society of CPAs and served as an Advisory Director for Monument Bank based in Bethesda. Walt also served in various positions with several area churches in Washington DC and Potomac Maryland.

Walt had few hobbies other than work but he did enjoy snow skiing in Vermont and Jackson Hole Wyoming, water skiing and sailing in Dewey Beach Delaware, relaxing in Bethany Beach Delaware and being a strong player on the bowling team at the Kenwood Country Club for almost 45 years. He was proud of staying in shape and worked out routinely. He was a bit of a show off into his 90's and would show others he could do more pushups than they could, and he was usually right. He was a history expert and political news buff and was exceptionally good at Jeopardy. He also enjoyed working on political campaigns.

Walt had a unique sense of humor and an admiration for others that persevered through tough challenges and knew that those who take risks and try to do new things often fail but should be acknowledged for getting back up. He always admired Theodore Roosevelt's speech Citizenship in a Republic and specifically "The Man in the Arena."

There are many stories of Walt quietly helping friends and family and numerous non-profit organizations over his lifetime and giving back greatly enriched his life. He was always thankful for God's blessings on his life and that of his family and friends. The family is thankful to the private caregivers and hospice nurses that cared for Walt and all those that assisted the family during this time including long time family friends Rob Huber and Peggy Huber-Lacy.

He leaves behind his daughter Amy and her husband Mario of Germantown Maryland, his son Nick and his wife Melanie and his three cherished grandchildren, Aiden (Jordan), Ryan and Reed Propps of Statesboro Georgia. We will miss you Papa!

In lieu of a public funeral, Walt and Nettie were honored in 2024 at a celebration of life party held by their children at the Kenwood Country Club in Bethesda to bring family and friends together to celebrate while they were both able to join everyone.

In lieu of flowers, Walt would have preferred that you make a donation to a non-profit organization helping others in the community or help a friend or family member in need.