Walter Maximilian Bastian III

Walter M. Bastian III of Sarasota, FL, Chevy Chase, MD, and Broadkill Beach, DE passed away on March 8, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Carla Desjean Bastian, two daughters, Carolyn McGavock (Adam) and Amy Bastian (Matthew), and his granddaughter, Skylar.

Walter was a dedicated public servant who served in the Air Force and spent 41 years at the Commerce Department, before retiring in 2015 as Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere. His former colleagues sent out a heartfelt notification, which highlights his accomplishments, his ability to connect with people, and his love of Dairy Queen. It made us smile and tear up, and we wanted to share it with you. We've included it below.

After 41 years with the Commerce Department, Walter made an easy transition into retirement in 2015. He loved Sarasota, where he, Carla, and their Great Dane, Micha, would regularly entertain family and friends. He continued asking his signature question, "How's business?" of taxi drivers, store owners, restaurant workers--and if he could strike up the conversation in Spanish, all the better. Retirement also meant creating new routines, including the morning visit to Dunkin' Donuts for an iced coffee, laps in their pool, and at least one run to the grocery store. Many of us will miss the phone calls we received from the grocery store parking lots of Sarasota.

All who knew Walter will miss him. As his parents would say to him before he traveled, "¡Feliz viaje! Buen éxito."

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From the International Trade Administration

Subject: Passing of Walter Bastian

I am deeply saddened to inform you of the passing of former Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere, Walter Bastian. After graduating from Georgetown and serving as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, Walter joined the Commerce Department in 1974 as a Central America Desk Officer. He served in many other roles in the Office of the Western Hemisphere before retiring in 2015.

Walter’s father’s career in the Foreign Service meant that Walter grew up all over the Western Hemisphere. He lived in El Salvador, Cuba, Ecuador, and Argentina.

His training for his career fighting trade barriers with the Department of Commerce began at the age of four during his first Christmas in El Salvador. His mother wrote several years ago for a community newsletter about a worried youngster whose Christmas presents were delayed when Santa got stuck in customs overnight.

Walter had many great accomplishments at the Department of Commerce – too many to name. He trekked all over the Western Hemisphere making the case for improved trade in the region. He believed strongly in taking the time, taking the personal approach, and challenging the conventional wisdom.

Walter led his team in designing the Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF), which is now in its twelfth year, and the Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE), which seeks to expand commercial linkages in our Hemisphere through increased innovation, and public-private partnerships. He saw the successful implementation of free trade agreements with Central America, Panama, Peru and Colombia. He worked on Cuba policy. He was a staunch supporter of North American competitiveness through the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America and created the North American Competitiveness and Innovation Conference.

Walter received numerous awards for his work during his outstanding career, including the Presidential Rank Award, the most prestigious recognition afforded to career U.S. Government professionals.

Walter was a mentor to many around the building, including several U.S. Department of Commerce Secretaries, Under Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries and everyone else in the building who sought his sage advice on all things Latin America and life in general. Walter had a profound impact on everyone he met and was loved and well-respected around the Hemisphere.

Walter would want you to remember the good times you shared, have a Dairy Queen Blizzard, and celebrate his life.