Kevin Walsh

Kevin D. Walsh

1952-2024

With his family at his side, Kevin Dean Walsh, age 71, a longtime Solvang and Valley resident, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 11, 2024 following complications from congestive heart failure.

Born in San Luis Obispo, California on May 20, 1952 to Raymond and Laverne (Folkers) Walsh, Kevin was the oldest of three siblings. From an early age, Kevin displayed great determination, leadership, and a curiosity for all things in this world, along with a great sense of humor. Growing up, he was active in the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and the Sea Scouts. Later in childhood, Kevin's family moved to Davis, California where he went on to graduate from Davis Senior High School in 1970. He then attended college at UC Davis, obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering in 1974. While attending UC Davis, he also worked summers for the California Department of Forestry, and was called to assist on several large wildfires.

After graduating, Kevin's desire was to follow in his father Raymond's footsteps, with an engineering career in the California public utility water distribution and treatment business. He moved to Orange County, where he worked at the Orange County Sanitation District, while simultaneously attending night school at Loyola Marymount University, earning a Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering by 1978. After obtaining his Master's degree, Kevin accepted a position at the Carmel Area Wastewater District and moved to Pacific Grove, California. It was during this period of time that Kevin became a Christian and committed his life to Christ and met the love of his life, Lorraine Ballou. They were married at the First Baptist Church of Monterey in the spring of 1980 and honeymooned in the Grand Canyon and Southwest. Following the birth of his first son in 1981, he moved to Goleta California after taking a position at the Goleta Water District where he would grow into the role of Assistant Manager & Chief Engineer. In 1990, he moved to Salinas, California to serve as the Marina Water District's General Manager. He became the General Manager of the Ramona Municipal Water District in 1993, while also briefly serving as the Fire Commissioner for the Ramona Fire Department. Kevin then moved his family to Solvang, California in 1997, while returning to work at the Goleta Water District that same year, serving as General Manager & Chief Engineer until his retirement from the District in 2008. After retirement, he served on the board of directors of the Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District, Improvement District No.1, and later as General Manager of the Santa Ynez Community Services District, until his illness in late 2023 prevented him from working further.

As a young man, Kevin enjoyed exploring nature, backpacking, motorcycling and piloting general aviation aircraft on cross country trips with friends. As a father and husband, Kevin spent all of his free time with his family and boys taking them on road trips to visit extended family, national parks, hiking trails and points of historical and cultural interest in California. He and his wife Lorraine loved to watch classic movies, and enjoy the beauty of the Santa Ynez Valley, Central Coast and especially the San Luis Obispo area. Kevin was a true pioneer in spirit. His aim was always to express that in his passion for public water and his approach to water management. He was an early pioneer in the California Homeschool movement. Homeschooling all six of his boys through high school; and was a trusted adviser to each in selecting and perusing higher education. Kevin loved the Lord and shared the salvation message of Jesus Christ with his family, church and community. He had great love for his wife and children and dedicated himself to creating a family based on love and the love of Jesus Christ.

Kevin was known to Valley residents by his red 1949 Ford F-1 pickup truck, which he drove around the Valley quite frequently. He was a regular guest columnist to the Santa Ynez Valley Newspaper where he discussed a wide range of local, regional and state water issues affecting valley citizens and water customers. Throughout his life, Kevin stressed to his children the gratitude of being an American, the importance of civic duty, and the essence of his Christian faith. Kevin never hesitated to lend a hand, or get involved in a hobby or a project, and was a bright light to all those that met him. Kevin was also a great conversationalist on any topic, and would often pray specific, meaningful prayers for anyone who needed them. He will be greatly missed for his smile and wonderful sense of humor, loyalty and faithful love, to both family and friends alike.

Kevin was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 44 years, Lorraine. He is survived by his seven children, daughter Corrie Ehler, sons Clement (Angela) Walsh, James (Ehren) Walsh, Samuel Walsh, Joseph Walsh, Christopher Walsh, and Adam Walsh; Three grandchildren, Gabbie, Nate and Estelle; Younger siblings, brother Brian Walsh and sister Kelley Kendrick; nephew Josh Kendrick, nieces Kayla Brown, and Bernadette Walsh.

The family requests those wishing to express their sympathies consider making a gift to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation. Please indicate gift is in memory of, or in honor of Kevin Walsh.

(www.cottagehealth.org/giving/now, or by mail to PO Box 689, Santa Barbara, CA 93102)

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

* II Timothy 2:1-2