Walter Ross Smith

Walter Ross Smith, formerly of Edwards, CO passed away peacefully on September 2, 2016 at Sandalwood Manor in Wheat Ridge, CO at the age of 91. Walter was born on July 25, 1925 to Walter and Catherine Smith. He was their only child. He often recalled many fond memories of growing up in the community of City Island, N.Y. Walter graduated from the Columbia School of Engineering in 1950 and beginning in 1951 served in active duty in the United States Navy. As he was always drawn to the open seas, his deployment on a navy destroyer was especially memorable for him. He continued to serve in the Navy reserves until 1969, attaining the rank of Lt. Commander. In August of 1962 he married Eleanor Heller and they had two daughters, Allison and Nancy. The family lived in Stamford CT. They enjoyed skiing in Vermont and summer vacations together on Nantucket Island, MA Walter worked for many years at Wegman & Associates in New York City as a Civil Engineer. In 1980 he was given the opportunity to work for Vail Associates in the development of Beaver Creek ski area. Walter and Eleanor decided to embark on a new adventure and moved the family to Colorado. It was an amazing opportunity for Walter both professionally and as an avid skier. They originally settled in Eagle-Vail and later moved to Edwards, CO into a home they designed and had built. After his job with Vail Associates had run its course, Walter semi-retired. Many know him from working in the photo and electronics department at Wal-Mart in Avon CO. Walter and Eleanor enjoyed traveling together until her death in 1996. In later years he continued to traveling to New Orleans, Kauai, and to the east coast to visit lifelong friends. He was well known among his family members for keeping numerous, neatly-stacked legal pads on which he wrote meticulous itineraries detailing information about his travels. Walter was preceded in death by his wife Eleanor. He is survived by his two daughters, Allison Ransom and her husband Ken of Glenwood Springs, CO and Nancy Mires, her husband Jim, and two granddaughters Emily and Madaket Mires all of Eagle, CO. He is also survived by a niece, Katherine Hilberg of Littleton, CO and her husband Mark and a nephew, Matt Devendorf and his wife Ann of Poughquag, NY.