Ronald Helmuth Walther

Ronald Helmuth Walther of Tucson, Arizona passed away Sunday, July 19, 2015 after a long battle with cancer. He was two weeks shy of being 80 years old. Born in Newark, New Jersey to Irmgard and Helmuth Walther, he graduated from Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey in 1953. Early on in life, he married Shirley Voight and had three wonderful children. He was an active member of the Elks Club and served in the New Jersey Army National Guard. Ron started his professional career with New Jersey Bell Telephone, later utilizing those skills in the employ of Vitelco in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and with Saudi Aramco in Saudi Arabia. Ron married his wife of 33 years, Amalia Yiannakakis, in Greece in 1982. He retired to Tucson, Arizona in 1991. Ron was an avid HAM radio operator, enjoying that pastime for over 55 years and up until the end of his life. His call sign was W7AI. He was an accomplished sailor and fulfilled his lifelong dream of cruising the Caribbean on his yacht "Desert Dream" for three years after leaving Saudi Arabia. He also enjoyed golf and has held a private pilot's license. Ron was well traveled and had seen much of the world. Ron is survived by his wife, Amalia; his son, Ronald S. Walther; two nephews, Brian and Kevin, and two grandchildren, Michelle and Justin. He was predeceased by both parents and his brother, "Butch", and daughters, Debbie and Lisa. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the: Humane Society of Southern Arizona (https://hssaz.org/get-involved/give/) 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd., Tucson, Arizona 85716. The celebration of Ron's life will be held at his home on Sunday, August 16, 2015. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOME. -