Walter Isaac Baldwin Jr.

Walter Isaac Baldwin, Jr. Dec. 15, 1921 - June 19, 2011 A third generation Californian, Walter Isaac Baldwin, Jr. was born in San Francisco on December 15, 1921, the first child of Dr. Walter Isaac Baldwin of Eureka and Marion-Leigh Mailliard of San Francisco. He spent a happy childhood in San Rafael where he rode horseback across the Marin hills when it was still a rural area, and summers were spent on an uncle's ranch in Mendocino County. He attended Coleman Grammar School and Tamalpais School for Boys in San Rafael, and graduated from the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. Two years at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was a member of the Zeta Psi Fraternity, were followed by 4-1/2 years in the U.S. Navy during WW ll. After flight training, he was designated "Naval Aviator," and served as a pilot with fighter squadrons aboard the aircraft carriers Bennington and Boxer in the Pacific. In his youth and as a young adult, Walt worked on ranches in Santa Barbara and Northern California; and in 1960, moved to Southern California to attend Otis Art Institute of Los Angeles County after receiving a scholarship. Much of Walt's work as a painter and illustrator concerned the western horse, ranch life, and rodeos, but he drew on Thoroughbred racing and the backstretch for many of his subjects. His paintings were acquired by art collectors in the U.S. and Europe, and his drawings, humorous sketches, and illustrated letters are cherished by all who received them. Walt and his longtime partner Anne moved to Grass Valley in 1998. He loved his home in Nevada County, and lavished his considerable skills and artistic talents on designing and building projects for their house and garden, camp, and for his studio and shop. Like many of his generation, Walt maintained lifelong friendships. He was enthusiastic and interested in the people and natural history of the places where he lived and visited, and was a good listener and careful observer. Walt will be sorely missed by family, friends, and all who loved him. "Adios Amigo."