Walter "Walt" John Dunden

On Dec 5th, we take a moment to fondly remember Walter John Dunden, who died March 25, 2019, in Eugene, OR, at the age of 96. Born Dec 5, 1922, in Minneapolis, MN, to Mary Grace (Redpath) and Walter James Dunden, Walt told many tales of growing up in Minnesota, from summers spent fishing at Point Narrows to winters spent ice skating and sledding in Minneapolis. In 1938, Walt’s father died, and the family moved to Kansas. Walt, who from most accounts was a bit mischievous, was sent to live with his grandmother in La Crosse, WI. He spoke fondly of accompanying his grandmother in her horse-drawn buggy to find herbs, flowers, and seeds for her herbal remedies, and of often taking a mid-day meal to his grandfather, who repaired steam locomotives in the La Crosse railyard. Walt graduated from Logan High School in La Crosse in 1940, and moved to Lawrence, KS, where his mother and sister then lived, to attend Kansas University. There he met Rosemarie Campbell, also a student at KU. After the Pearl Harbor attack, both Rosemarie and Walt enlisted in the Navy. Walt’s father and mother had served in WWI, his father in the Navy and his mother as an Army Red Cross nurse stationed in France. Walt served as a Pharmacist’s Mate 3C, working in epidemiology on diseases such as malaria. He also received his commercial pilot’s license while serving, the start of his love of flying. On Feb 14, 1945, Walt and Rosemarie married in Washington, D.C. (where Rosemarie was stationed), just prior to Walt shipping out to Japan. He served in Japan until his discharge in 1946, after which he rejoined Rosemarie in D.C., and together they enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Walt and Rosemarie were both very proud of their military service. Upon graduation, Walt with a degree in Agricultural Microbiology, they settled in Kansas City, eventually building a house by themselves near Bonner Springs, KS. They raised three children, over the years moving to Prairie Village, KS; Glenview, IL; Arnold, MD; and Eugene, OR. Walt worked in food technology and microbiology for many companies: Standard Brands, Midwest Research Institute, Sara Lee, Marriott, and Chef Francisco. He worked on a diverse range of products and technologies, including freeze-drying and food for NASA, and patented many processes and products. He was also a talented artist, spending time writing poetry, painting, drawing, woodworking, photography, and ceramics in every location he lived. After his death, Walt’s potter’s wheel was donated to the Maude Kearns Art Center (Eugene, OR), to which he had belonged for many years. In addition to his work and art, Walt’s favorite activity was flying and restoring antique aircraft. He was certified in gliders, single engine planes, float planes, aerobatics, and as a tow plane pilot (for gliders). Walt restored many old planes, including Rearwin Sportsters and Stampes, flying (with a friend) his first Rearwin from the Midwest to Eugene for restoration. Along with other pilots in the Eugene area, Walt helped found the Oregon Aviation Historical Society and Museum in Cottage Grove, donating his last restoration as well as his hangar to the museum. Rosemarie learned aeronautical navigation so she could accompany Walt on his many flights in the old planes to fly-ins and air shows. In their 70s and 80s, Walt and Rosemarie traveled all over the world, visiting every state in the US, as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the British Isles, and many European countries. For their 50th wedding anniversary, they visited Pearl Harbor in honor of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Surrender. Walt and Rosemarie were avid birders and lovers of nature and history, often traveling with birding, historical, or aviation groups. They belonged to the Eugene BOGs (birding) group and supported the Cascade Raptors. In addition, they supported many historical restorations over the years, including both the Timberline Lodge and Crater Lake Lodge. For decades, they visited Crater Lake Lodge annually in the fall, just before the lodge closed for the winter. Walt was preceded in death by his wife (Rosemarie), his sister Betty (Dunden) Hall, his brother-in-law Ed Hall, as well as other relatives. Walt is survived by his three children: Martine L. Dunden of Marquette, MI; Mary M. Dunden of Sunriver, OR; and James M. Dunden of Eugene, OR; and by his two grandchildren: Erik W. Nelson (Carol) of Portland, OR, and Elisabet (Elise) M. Nelson (Ryan Sommers) of Mt Pleasant, SC. Walt is also survived by many nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law, former son-in-law Peter S. Nelson and his family, extended family, friends, fellow pilots, artists, and birders. Walt and Rosemarie are interred together at the Willamette National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Cascades Raptor Center, Friends of Hendricks Park, or your favorite charity.