In Memoriam - Sunny Walter

I think we are all in shock and mourning the loss of a most wonderful person and member of EAS (Eastside Audubon).  Sunny Walter passed away on February 25 ^th , 2010.

We will miss her presence. You walk into the monthly meeting and the president is announcing the program chair. We see Sunny stand up, look at everyone with a funny smile, say a few words, and the members are laughing. That is the look and humor of Sunny.

Born in Oak Park, Illinois, her early life was spent moving around the Midwest with her father's teaching career until he was hired as Chief Editor by Britannica Junior Encyclopedia. Due to her parents' love of hiking and camping and their cabin at Crystal Lake, Michigan, she developed a strong outdoor ethic.

Sunny graduated from high school in LaGrange, Illinois, and then received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Iowa State University in 1960. At the time, Boeing was recruiting from Iowa State. Sunny had already decided before this that she wanted to live in the Pacific Northwest - "It seemed so fresh and environmentally inviting."  So, she moved to Seattle and started at Boeing as a computer programmer, then advancing to a lead engineer and researcher of business modeling techniques. She married in the 60s and had a daughter, Samantha. Sunny retired from Boeing in 1995.

After retirement, she operated her own "low key" photography business, which specialized in wildlife and environmental photography. Sunny also volunteered for 12 years as photographer for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition. She took a three-year assignment photographing people for Washington Tourism, having a good time in nature.

Sunny joined EAS in 1995, while still an active member of The Mountaineers. She joined Audubon because of her desire to do more toward preserving the environment. She said she was not a good birder, but wanted to be more helpful, so she joined our Marymoor Park project. Then, when the chapter's Program Chairmanship opened up, she took it on "as a way to contribute without needing to be a good birder."

In 2001, she co-authored (along with Janet O'Mara), the book "Washington Nature Weekends - 52 Adventures in Nature." It takes people to a different place each weekend for a peak seasonal nature experience. The book has been very popular. It was published by Falcon Press/Globe Pequot Press, and is currently out of print, but available on Amazon.

During the last several years, Sunny added to her Program Chair responsibilities, by joining the Board of Directors. She served as an At-Large Board Member, Membership Chair and just this year took on the role of Birding Chair. She was also responsible for organizing the creative EAS Photography Club presentations at our annual meetings, leading wildlife field trips, including Mount Rainier where she took some amazing photos of wildflowers and birds. She developed the native plant walks and was instrumental in the creation of the new website. She also volunteered at the Christmas gift wrapping and almost everything needed by EAS. She was truly an amazing person.

Sunny leaves behind her daughter, Samantha of Issaquah, and two brothers in the Midwest.

Well, Sunny, I think you exceeded your goal of "being more helpful" to the environment. We will miss you, but you will always be near whenever we see a hawk soar or a flower bloom, or a magnificent photo of nature.

Thank you, Sunny, from every one of us in EAS for all you gave to the group and to individuals. A Douglas Fir was planted at Marymoor Park Birdloop in your name.-

by Marlene Meyer