Oh, Walter, we weren't done yet!  Bet you've already camped onto a little cloud to notate your next symphony by hand. Hope they have correction fluid in Heaven!  Miss you already.

What a challenging and inspirational life you led, Walter!  As you persevered in writing  and perfecting your music compositions it was a privilege to help make them available to the public — and a pleasure to contribute from time to time to your coffee fund. May your scores and your CDs continue to be studied and heard for years to come.

Dearest Walter, you are surely missed! Say "hi" to some of our friends up there.

We'll always remember Walter as a great artist and a beautiful spirit who's influence on all of us connected with his opera TO DAMASCUS is eternal.

Walter,

It was wonderful getting to know you during my few years in Richmond.  God Bless You and I will continue to pray for your soul.  Rest In Peace my friend.

Doug

A fine musician, prolific composer, and gentle spirit, Walter will be dearly missed.

I’ll always remember our car rides and me introducing you to music from many parts of the world :o). Cigarettes, coffee, going out to eat was just right my man. I’ll miss you Walt and hope to see you in the “neighborhood” sometime on the other flip of a dime.

Meeting Walter with his level of sophistication and creative talent ,enriched my life.His gentle and mellow attitude amplified the strength in his compositions.Fare thee well

I first saw Walter hand-composing music inside a Starbucks, and after two more sightings I asked "What are you doing?" That simple question turned into a friendship and a mutual admiration that continued for years. God bless, Walter, you left us far too soon.

Walter, I am confident you are at peace and I am so thankful that I got to witness your opera.  It was a pleasure to chat after so many years, to hear you recount little things from high school and to discuss Martin Heidegger.  Fair winds my friend, from the river.

Walter was my classmate at North Carolina School of the Arts in the early 1970s. He was brilliantly talented for music, flute performance and composition.  As too often happens, geography and time got in the way of staying in touch.The loss for everyone who knew Walter is great, & a tragedy for music. I am thankful that we got back in touch brielfy, and to know that his music will go on.

Walter, I feel fortunate to have known you. Your passion for music, your thoughtfulness as a composer, and your methodology were all inspiring. I'll always treasure your music and your creative vision. I know that many of us will remember your gentle greetings and your effortless kindness as being bright spots within our days. You'll be missed.

I am deeply saddened by this news.  We grew up in the same community; went to church together; played in the playground together; were dance partners and fellow musicians.  Walter was so uniquely talented and will be missed. May the skies glow from your beautiful music.

Walter, you were a dear friend and amazing composer; I can't believe you've already crossed over to the other side. When I was teaching piano, my students loved playing your pieces in recitals and competitions. It was a great honor to attend the premiere of TO DAMASCUS and to enjoy many other performances and recordings of your music. I'll always remember our visits to your home and your Mother's wonderful cooking and hospitality, as well as your visits to our home in NYC and then Wilmington, NC. Now you are reunited with your parents in heaven, as well as our teacher at NCSA, Dr. Robert Ward, and countless other musicians now creating "heavenly strains". TO DAMASCUS showed how one's spiritual path unfolds in the small, everyday rituals of life. Your own ritual of putting pencil to paper to connect your inside self to the outside world created a spiritual musical journey, and the musical illuminations you have left for us will live on forever.

Your birthday, today, will be honored with piano and flute.