Milton E. Waalkens

Milton E. Waalkens, noted Bay Area Labor Leader, went to his Lord last Sunday morning. He passed on at peace at his home with his family present. Milt was President of the BART Chapter of SEIU for nearly twenty-five years. He was recognized by one of the largest Labor Unions in the Bay Area, SEIU Local 1021, as Unionist of the Year in 1985. He brought labor peace to BART while he was President. Of all the BART Chapter Presidents, he had the highest arbitration and grievance win ratio. He retired from BART in July, 2005. Milt was born in Somo, Wisconsin on December 3, 1943 to Jacob and Lorraine Waalkens. Jacob was a W.W. II veteran and worked as a mechanic and as a woodsman/lumberjack. He had three sisters Rose (passed as an infant), Diane Potorff of Oregon and Linda Winslow of Idaho. They moved to Northern California when Milt was seven. Milt was sixteen when he joined the Air Force. He served two tours in Viet Nam. He met his lovely bride Paula Salinas and they were married September 3, 1962. He received his honorable discharge in 1969 and moved to Newark, California and moved to his present residence in San Leandro in 1973. He was hired by BART in June of 1970. He has two beautiful daughters, Michelle Tornay of San Ramon and Brenda Waalkens of Oakland. Milt was the grandfather of two grandchildren: Dylan Jacob Waalkens, Briana Waalkens-Burnett and two adopted grandchildren Angel Rose and Daniel Michael Tornay. Memorial Services to be held on Sat. July 2, 2011 at 11am at Guerrero Mortuary 407 Estudillo Ave. San Leandro, CA 94577.

Arrangements under the direction of Guerrero Mortuary Chapel, San Leandro, CA.