Walter Wright

 Walter Wright, age 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Los Alamos, New Mexico, on December 2, 2025. Walter was born in Bellows Falls, Vermont on October 26, 1941, to Leland Fuller Wright and Thelma (Staniszewski) Wright. Growing up on the Connecticut River, he attended Bellows Falls High School and graduated in 1959. Overcome with a sense of service and willingness to give back to his country during the Cold War Era, Walter joined the US Air Force in 1960. He specialized in Weapons Control and System Maintenance at Lowry AFB in Colorado from February to October 1961. Walter was then stationed at Selfridge AFB in Mt. Clemens, Michigan where he worked on the electronics and radar systems of F-106 Delta Dart. While at Selfridge, Walter met and married Beverly (Kepsel) in 1963. In 1964 he moved on from the Air Force as an Airman First Class.

 Walter continued his career building off the electronics expertise he learned in the Air Force, working for Computer Control in Framingham, MA before moving back to Michigan. He studied engineering at Wayne State in Detroit, Michigan while working for General Motors Research Labs in Warren, MI from 1967 to 1981. He researched and worked on the early development of electric vehicle technology. After building his career and family in Michigan, Walter decided to move his family to Los Alamos, New Mexico to again serve his country working for the National Laboratory in nuclear deterrence efforts. Walter worked at LANL for 22 years under various projects and at different facilities across the Lab until retiring in 2003.

 Aside from his career achievements, Walter was passionate about his hobbies. In Michigan and New Mexico, he owned multiple dirtbikes and motorcycles, even competing in motocross races and humorously teaching his daughters how to ride. In Los Alamos, he volunteered on the Fire Brigade for Search and Rescue, where he became an avid outdoorsman and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). He participated in many search and rescues around the National Forests of New Mexico.

Later in life, one of his greatest passions was woodworking. He made beautiful oak furniture for his family members and custom-built classical acoustic guitars for his grandsons. Walter was always a role model for his family, teaching them how to play various sports as well as sharing his love of the outdoors. He was a prominent leader of the family therefore his daughters and grandchildren looked to him for advice.

Walter is survived by his beloved wife Beverly of 62 years. His brother Michael Wright and wife Francine, his nieces Danielle Wright, and Stephanie (Mark) Melchione. His daughters, Cheryl Gallegos, (David), Michele Wright, Jennifer Hendrickson (Shane). Walter’s grandchildren include Ryan Gallegos (Laura), Adam Gallegos (Shannon), Jacob Torrez, Hannah Hendrickson, and Grace Hendrickson. His great grandchildren include Lincoln, Rosalie and Benjamin Gallegos.

Donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.