Doctor Walter Welch - We're going to miss you

Nothing to add to what's already been said except to add my respect. Doc and James were definitely 2 fine gentlemen, and they are both sorely missed.
 
Your generousity & humor will be sorely missed.

My first contact with Walt was a few years back & concerned flashlight bulbs. We chatted a bit & he asked for my address so he could send me a bulb to try out in my 5 D-cell Maglite. I was totally blown away when the package arrived a few days later. In addition to several Maglite bulbs, he sent me both a Krill Lamp & a green Photon II. I still carry that Photon everyday and, now, it will serve as a reminder of a very special person.

Shine on, Walt.
 
May he rest in peace. I didn't know anything about the man except that he wrote knowledgeable posts, gave helpful information, and always had a good attitude. But apparently he did well and was loved, and there isn't a more worthy epitaph.
 
It's sad to hear that he has passed. But. . .how great it was that he touched so many here !

He definitely went out of his way to help other "Knife Knuts" and he truly set the example of what a Knife Knut is !

I tip my hat and raise my glass to ya !

Cheers Walt
 
Aw ****, Walt.

You can't go. There's so much you tried to explain to me that I still don't understand. One test of how successful a man's life was is the good he did. By that standard you are certainly one of the most successful men I ever knew.

One thing you did teach me was that I needed to have more fun in life or that I could have more fun in life.

I want you to know how happy I am that you were in my life. The reason I am sitting here with tears running down my face must be because of a bad tooth or something. I can't possibly be crying about someone who brought so much good and joy into the world.

Aw ****, Walt. I'll be o.k. but damn I am going to miss you.

Tom

P.S. Yeah I know, "Aw ****, Walt" is pretty weak for someone with a degree in English Literature.
 
Dr. Walt Welch, (aka dr_play_time)

was one of the most respected members of CandlePowerForums. I had the pleasure of corresponding with him occasionally.
His breadth and depth of Knowledge was/is a wonder. Many times on CPF, a meandering topic was answered by one of his essays.
(I didn't always understand his posts ...... )

His wit and humour, (and occasional irascibility !) will be missed greatly.
Many people were grateful to him for his generosity in giving away special-order Carley lamps for their Mag-Lites, his beloved torches. He sent these out for free, as a good relations gesture.
And here I quote:

"Don't worry about the cost. ... The main hassle about the Carley thing is that I hate to package stuff and label it and mail it. Besides, foreign orders have always been free.
Let me know if I have this [selection] right, and add whatever else you want. Walt"

My sympathies to his family, loved ones and friends.

lightlover

A topic "Sad Thread from Bladeforums [Walt Welch, R.I.P.]" has been started on CPF, by mikep at http://www.candlepowerforums.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=22&t=000162
 
I met "Doc" (Walt) on summer evening in Montana and had the pleasure of joining him for dinner while we waited for Rob to meet up with us later. Walt was soooo kind, very easy to talk to and was never at a loss of words. He proudly showed me his traveling knife collection and later taught me the true meaning of having a good flashlight!;)

The last time we spoke on the phone was around the holidays, when he shared his pride of his new grandson, his daughters and his son. He had a genuine interrest in our family and always took the time to chit chat and catch up on things when he called.

I will always remember his assertive and delightful approach to life,his infectous laugh and loving heart!

Dear Walt, I will miss you!
Christine Simonich
 
This is an awful blow. We're all going to miss him. I know his daughters will read this ... I don't know what to say to you. He was a tremendous guy -- but you know that. I guess all I can tell you is a lot of people all over the world know it too. He contributed a great deal to the forums, insight and information as well as humor and entertainment.
 
:( Doc was active here from the beginning and on earlier forums elsewhere as well. He had a funloving sharp wit and inexhaustable knowledge that he willingly shared with all.

He and I were the two "knifenuts" who charged off to evaluate Talonite by having some custom blades fashioned from the stuff. Exemplifying how well we forumites get along, he came to my rescue during those experiments with a loan of some barstock which I wrote about in my e-zine article here ( http://www.bladeforums.com/magazine/secure/jan/talonite.shtml ).


But I was privileged to know him a little better than that. We'd exchanged e-mails, letters, and had talked by phone. Although we never met in person we'd both seen photos of each other. I used to tease him about his untanned spindly "chicken" legs. But I always have rightfully included Doc among the best of those who make this hobby fun. Lastly this past December ( http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=173000&pagenumber=4 ). Unfortunately my last exchange with him was just before last Christmas. Things feel so unfinished.

Doc was a very patriotic man who never forgot his roots and the beginnings of his medical career. And although he never served in the military, he privately conveyed that he had been blessed with opportunities and was forever thankful to those that served while he was in med-school. He surprised both my eldest son (who was serving with the 1stMarDiv) and me at one point a few years back when he presented him with a new MadDog ATAK2, Benchmade tactical folder, and enough modified photon lights to outfit the majority of the marines my son was serving with. His letter with the gifts explained that he could never repay those who served while he toiled in school and that this was but a gesture of his deep gratitude to all in uniform. More importantly Doc provided counsel and words of encouragement to my son, a Navy medical corpsman, about continuing a career in medicine.

So while his online persona was one of a quick witted, fun loving, sometimes dirty old man, with an unbounded depth of knowledge willingly shared, he was also a gentleman and patriot, with a compassionate and generous heart.

We are all poorer for his passing.

Now I have to tell my son......

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADDENDUM: I've had a little time to let things sink in. Reviewing my words, I find that they still don't fully convey what Walt wrote my son, so I've decided that it would be very fitting to quote parts of what he had to say.

This passage followed detailed explanations of each "gift", it's beneficial characteristics, and with the case of the Photons, how he'd modified them to be waterproof befitting military use.

"Well, I think that this takes care of the most basic needs of a corpsman; if you can think of anything else, let me know. Actually, I just threw in a couple of more things, some folding scissors, and a nylon pouch to keep most of the grit off of it.

So, by now you are probably thinking, ‘Who is going to pay for all this??'
The answer is, young man, you and your father. In fact, you have already paid a lot more than what the the things in this package are worth. A lot more.
You and your father, by following the way of the warrior, have protected me and my family and friends. I, and others, appreciate this very much. During the Vietnam era, when I would have been drafted, I had two children and was able to continue my studies leading to my M.D. I was able to do this by the sacrifices of many brave men and women, some good friends of mine, a lot of whom did not come back.

Thanksgiving is the time for recognizing the things for which you are grateful. I am grateful to you and your father for your military service, indeed, grateful to each and every one of you who are in the military. I don't think many people realize just how hard it is to be a Marine; I had a neighbor growing up in Santa Barbara, he had a lot of scars on his abdomen from a Japanese bayonet; I believe it was a place called Saipan where he picked these scars up. So, listen up, kid, I am not being generous, you and your dad EARNED these things. Think up some BS story so your dad won't feel embarassed."

:( I was speachless then and feel my expressions here inadequate now.

My son is still serving on active duty. I'm a retired "mustang" naval officer currently serving as a civilian at an air force B-1B bomber base.
 
So long Walt, your wit,wisdom and kindness will be sorely missed in these parts. :(
 
I haven't been around here as long as many of you, but I could not help but notice how generally helpful, intellegent and courteous his posts were. I did not know that he was a doctor.

The outpouring of feelings here clearly speaks of the type of person he was.

He will be sorely missed.
 
I am deeply sadened by this awful news!!:(

Doc was funny, smart and always a pleasure to talk to. He was someone you looked up to. I almost held him in some sort of "all knowing" status. "If anyone would know, Walt would", How many times did that thought go through one of our heads?

I really don't have the words to express how I feel. Walt, you will be missed.:(
 
Doc Walt was special, for his caring, his knowledge and his sense of humor. My thoughts are with his family, I share your loss. I don't have a Family Doctor, unless you count when Walt came into Chat.

He will be missed deeply.
 
I apologize for having started a new thread, I did not realize that a tribute to Walt had already been initiated here. Out of respect, I feel I should say something here too.

He was truly a wonderful person, and will always be remembered by us at MDK and Tactical Forums/CTT (Church of Tactical Truth) as St. Walter the Illumintated, a nick-name he picked up at our annual event, Knifegnugen. He liked to give out flashlights and other goodies to all of the children who came to K2K. He was like a "tactical" Santa Clause come bearing gifts. You all know his dry wit and special brand of humor, which is what we loved best about him. He took center stage in the evenings around the camp fire. His anecdotes kept us in stitches and he would go on for hours! Just thinking about it makes me smile.

He was also a good listener and always offered sound counsel. He often helped people to understand an "adversary's" position and facilitated in solutions and/or compromises that everyone could live with. As a self-appointed "arbitrator", he had a natural gift for making things turn out all right. The world could use more men like him.

His light did indeed burn ever so brightly.
 
Nothing I can say can express my sorrow.

Walt will be missed by all of his families. His kids and grandkids and us, those he shared his knowledge with.
 
Aw crap.

Walt will truly be missed - for those of you wondering about the origin of the Pink Tutu, you can look no further than the Good Doctor.

"Whacko Walt" was a treasure...

Kevin
 
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