Walter Raymond Austin

Walter R. Austin of Redmond, WA passed away peacefully on January 6, 2012 in Redmond. He was 97 years old. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Walt was born in Seattle in 1914 to Swedish immigrant parents Herman and Signhild Austin. Except during his navy service in WWII, Walt lived his entire life in Washington State.

Walt graduated from Seattle’s Lincoln High School in 1933. He then attended the University of Washington and graduated, with honors, with a degree in forestry in 1937.

Walt worked as a professional forester and did many types of work including engineering, surveying, and comprehensive sustained yield studies. For four years, he was given a teaching fellowship by the University of Washington to run their 3 month camp for seniors in forestry, a camp that provided the students with hands on, in the field experience.

Then came WWII. In 1942 Walt joined the navy and became a member of an elite group of photo interpreters who drew maps based on information and photographs from various sources, including aerial photos. His group worked on Eniwetok Atoll and also Guam. Their darkroom developed the famous photo of erecting the American flag on Iwo Jima. Walt was one of the first persons to see the celebrated photograph.

Walt married Jerrine Brooks of Goldendale, Washington in 1942 and they had two children. Jerry was born in 1947 and Jim in 1949. Walt and Jerrine were married for 26 years. They amicably divorced in 1968. Jerrine passed away in 1985.

Following WWII Walt became a businessman. Among the many businesses that he owned were retail stores, a paint factory, tool manufacturing, and industrial sandblasting and painting.

Walt was an avid outdoorsman his whole life. He loved to fish, especially fly fishing for trout. For many decades he annually visited Priest Lake, Idaho to fish for cutthroat trout on a dry fly. He fished many times in Alaska, including trips to the Golsovia River Lodge, owned by his son Jerry and wife Clara. At age 94 he took his final trip to Golsovia. In his early life Walt was an avid hunter who enjoyed deer, bear, elk, and duck hunting.

In 1973 Walt married Grace B. Kuni. They led a very active life together for 35 years. Very service oriented, Walt and Grace donated time and money to many good causes. Walt is a past president of the Kirkland Senior Center. Walt and Grace entered into several successful business ventures during their retirement, including building and managing a restaurant and developing 22 acres in Kirkland. They enjoyed many trips including cruises through the Panama Canal and the Inside Passage to Alaska.

Walt was preceded in death by his brother George Austin in 2004, his wife Grace Austin in 2008, and his son Jerry Austin in 2010.

Walt is survived by his son Jim Austin; step-daughter Barbara Kennedy and husband Rex; step-daughter Karen Ekberg and husband Bruce; daughter-in-law Clara Austin; cousin MayBritt Brooks; nephews Donald, Eric, and Dennis Brooks; grandchildren Dena , Jerrine, Charlene, and Anthony; step-grandchildren Kandy, David, Kellie, and Donald. Walt is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren and 5 great-step-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Walt will take place at the Kirkland First Baptist Church at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 14.

Arrangements entrusted to Sunset Hills Funeral Home of Bellevue, WA.