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Walter Payne Obituary
DELMAR - Walter Douglas "Doug" Payne, 60 of Delmar, passed away on January 18, 2023, from complications due to lymphoma.
As a young man, he was valedictorian of his class at George Washington High School in Charleston, W.Va. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Virginia and obtained his doctorate in English from Northwestern University. He then became a tenured professor at the University of San Diego. Later in life, he worked as the senior editor at the office of the New York State Comptroller.
Doug's life was devoted to curiosity, generosity, kindness, and love. He was also very, very funny.
He deeply and passionately loved his children, Marshall Roberts-Payne, and Simone Roberts-Payne; his wife, Jackie Roberts; both of his brothers, Christopher and Gregory; his mother, Betty Lou McKeon, and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects and visit with Doug's family on Saturday, February 4, 2023, (please note the date change) from 1-3 p.m. in the Chapel of Simple Choices, Inc., 218 2nd Ave. (corner of 104th Street), Troy. A funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. in the funeral home. We welcome all vaccinated guests.
Doug will be, in his own words: "flourishing on this side of paradise."
In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, Inc. at www.PlannedParentHood.org/planned-parenthood-upper-hudson.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Roberts-Payne families online at SimpleChoicesCremation.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Walter Payne
Jack and Theresa Galvin
January 29, 2023
There are very few people in the world that you can call " Genuine". Doug was one of them. His thoughtful insights and always available openness to listen helped me through some very challenging times. I will always be grateful for the time spent with Doug. His friendship and example of what " being there for others" will forever inspire me. Will miss him dearly. Thoughts and prayers for his family whom he adored.
Steve
January 28, 2023
Dear Payne Family,
I came to know Doug through our work together on the BelleJAR Foundation. Know my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I so enjoyed being with Doug whenever we were together. His insights, humor and deep caring about others will be sorely missed.
Kirsten DeMento
January 25, 2023
I was saddened to learn of Doug´s passing. He was a creative and caring person. His passion for helping others was evident from his commitment to our school. He seemed to love coming for visits to see the program and the students in action. A fond memory for me was when he was a judge during our "Shark Tank" unit. He always pushed us to rethink and improve our program. His advice, wisdom and compassion will be truly missed.
Bob Ward
January 25, 2023
Dear Jackie, Marshall and Simone:
Thank you for sharing Doug with us at OSC. His unending intellectual curiosity, deep humanity and ability to find humor and joy in the foibles of humankind (whether in the political world or elsewhere) made him a simply wonderful colleague and friend. Those of us with the great good luck to have him edit our bureaucratic prose were blessed to work with an extraordinary craftsman - not only a master of all the elements of writing technique but an expert at contributing just the right thought about policy points across the spectrum of public issues. One can only imagine how wonderful it must have been to have him as a professor. I don't recall sharing much by way of NBA conversations, but would purely love to hear his comments on the ups and downs of the Lakers from Wilt and West to Kobe and LeBron. We will miss him so very, very much.
Stephen Hartmann
January 24, 2023
I am a better person for having known Doug for more than 20 years. He will surely be missed. My condolences to the family.
suzanne petty
January 22, 2023
so very sorry to hear doug passed away. he was such a joy to be around. my condolences to his family that he so proudly spoke of. sending prayers.
Suzanne Petty
Riverview, FL
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Memorial Events
for Walter Payne
Feb
4
Visitation
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Simple Choices, Inc. Cremation Service - Troy218 2nd Ave., Troy, NY 12180
Feb
4
Funeral services provided by:
Simple Choices, Inc. Cremation Service - Troy218 2nd Ave., Troy, NY 12180
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