Evan also recalled the many football games and sports events. Whenever asked what his favorite sport was it was always "The YALE Game!" He recalled many impromptu snacks of Cokes and hamburgers-"Never eat a vegetable!" was Walter's motto. His most favorite liquid however, was bourbon! Neat. In parting Evan recalled Walter's sense of drama, ability to appreciate small quirks of human nature, and gift for seeing through pretension.

Toby Thatcher was the son of one of Walter's classmates and regaled us with many anecdotes of his childhood growing up with Uncle Wally. He recalled Walter's great sense of adventure and the ability to make any encounter a time to remember. He put great store by rituals, family customs and holiday traditions. One year he gave Toby a large toy flatbed truck with cannon and missile launcher. "Now of course you won't wake me in the morning with THAT," he cautioned. Naturally, it was taken as an invitation. At dawn young Toby sneaked into the room, aimed the plastic projectile and prepared to open fire. Suddenly a voice under the sheets called out-" Is the enemy in this room?" And so began a rousing morning tradition which lasted for many years- Walter under siege. He knew all the best penny arcades in Times Square and was a deft hand at skeeball. "He had a sense of the ridiculous" and loved the game of Shoot the Big Bear, often carrying his dollar stuffed toy home as if it were a trophy of great merit. Once in Sarajevo the car ran out of gas on a dark night in the wilderness. Walter sent Toby for gas when a passing truck stopped and declared he would wait with the automobile. Hours later Toby returned to find Walter missing. After nervously peering over a cliff and some moments of apprehension, Walter sauntered out of the woods with a bottle of Bourbon and a huge native named Slovko who had offered him shelter. After returning to New York Walter wrote a thank you to his hero, never expecting he would actually receive it. Months letter a response came from Slovko and they became lifelong friends over the years. The carved wooden pipe in the apartment was one of Slovko's tributes to is old friend. His life would be filled with such chance encounters resulting in steadfast friends.

The next portion of the program was a memorable slide and music presentation assembled by Charlie Brown. It began with slides of all the ships Walter had travelled on set to the tune of Sentimental Journey. Then there was a lovely photograph of his mother, Henrietta Mactyre Hoffman Lord in a hat and tailored suit. The years passed on in chronological order, Walter as a boy, slender college freshman, young man, the war years, - interspersed with many photos of friends, excursions and high adventures. Here is Walter playing at shooting TIGERS!

His many books were displayed, his familiar writing paper and signature on screen-all accompanied by the sound of a typewriter typing merrily or the sound of a pen scrawling across the page. It was simply brilliant. I learned so many new facets of the man I already knew to be pretty special. He was never judgemental, a great counselor for "mixed up" kids, patient, tireless. courageous and uncomplaining- a whimsical nature, "impish" sense of adventure and most of all- a loyal and unfailing friend. The slide program closed with the portrait I saw in February- the little boy with the wistful gaze. Then there was Auld Lang Syne. After, we stood and sang Walter's favorite song about "The Old Gal"- It was Sad When the Great Ship Went Down.

Soon we were out in the rotunda again- old friends hugging, exchanging memories. Beryl, Grace, Angela and Lillian had received a standing ovation and were now greeting friends. "Where's your red dress Honey?" Beryl asked. I decided on something more conservative after all. The reception was elegant, canapes and smoked salmon, hot hors d'oeuvres passed by dapper waiters- and lovely wines.
Soon it was time to leave. Reluctantly we stepped back out into the sun and found an Italian restaurant for lunch where we raised a glass or two to our old friend. The talk at the table was of Walter, Titanic and happier days - Captain Naugeolet, Bob Bracken, Mike Findlay, Matt and George Tulloch, Jack Eaton. How lucky can a girl get? We toasted our Man for All Seasons and Making it Count, Happy Memories and High Adventures. I think Walter would approve- don't you?

Click on for the last visit February 11, 2002