Walter James Quinlan, 85, of Green Valley, Arizona, passed away on January 3, 2025 at home surrounded by family. Walt was born to parents James and Flora Quinlan on August 1, 1939 in San Pedro, California.
Walt married Ina, the love of his life in 1966, who survives him. They recently celebrated their 58th year of marriage. Walt is also survived by his daughters Lori Dalton and husband Tracy, Dyana Cernicky and husband Larry, Kimberly Earhart and husband Don, as well as a host of grandchildren: Coty, Joe, Jessica, Ryan, Ethan and great granddaughter Charlotte.
Walt served as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corp.
Walt graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly-SLO); B.S. in Engineering, CA State Long Beach and a M.S. in Engineering, University of California, Irvine. In the State of California, he was registered as a Professional Engineer in Electrical Engineering and also held a Real Estate Broker License.
In 1999, he retired from the Boeing Company formerly Rockwell International Corp. after 28 years of service. Most of his engineering history focused on submarines and submersibles which he felt was the most interesting part of his career. Among his other accomplishments were contributions to the Apollo 7 mission (Rockwell) and the Submersible Beaver Programs.
Walt & Ina retired to Quail Creek in 2002. He contributed as a Volunteer Finance Investment Advisory Committee Member for the Town of Sahuarita for twenty years.
Walt & Ina loved to travel and experienced quite a bit of the world in their 58 years together.
They enjoyed travel adventures with close friends and relatives. Some of Walt’s favorite destinations included Ireland, Europe, Australia and most of all Maui, which they visited frequently. Through all his travels, Walt would always say “ Home is the best place to be.”
Walt & Ina were lucky enough to have life long friends while raising their families (Hallstrom’s, Harnetiaux’s and Dazey’s).
Walt was known for his love of bowling. ABC League Champion 1961-1964 and official member of the International Association of Turtles, San Luis Obispo, CA. He enjoyed bowling locally, accomplishing “Back-to Back League Champions” in the Miller Lite Cactus Men’s League.
Walt played bridge weekly and loved to play poker with the guys. He enjoyed many years playing golf and was lucky enough to ace a hole-in-one the very first time he played as a teenager. Walt also loved a day at the horse races (Del Mar, Santa Anita). He attended the 145th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs with his daughter Lori, a Christmas Gift from the family.
Walt lived a long and happy life and has blessed not only his family but all those who knew him, we miss him.
Hey Walt, OFF LIKE A HERD OF TURTLES!
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