Walter Lee Meacham passed away peacefully on October 9, 2020, almost four years after his early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Walter was born in Arizona in 1957, and while growing up he spent time on various ranches between Colorado and Arizona; he graduated cum laude in 1981 receiving his Bachelor of Science and in 1985 he received his Masters of Science in Engineering both from Arizona State University. In 1986 he married Marcy Doran. During life, Walter was a man of service, driven to go above and beyond offering his talents in all situations. Whether he was refereeing, drafting field schedules for soccer clubs, creating pinewood derby templates for Boy Scouts, coaching, or maintaining the OLPH adoration schedule, Walter always found ways to use his technical skills to give back to the community in unique ways. In addition to serving the community, Walter was also a man of service at home. His mother-in-law shares fond memories of Walter cleaning up after the Meacham’s hosted a large family meal, packing leftovers for her, and walking her to her car. He always put the needs of others first. In addition to his service minded attitude, Walter was an accomplished Fellow Engineer. Working for Honeywell for 30 years, Walter’s name can be found associated with numerous patents. Some of the most known projects he worked on were the Joint Strike Fighter and the Apache Helicopter. He proudly displayed a model Apache Helicopter in his home in recognition of this accomplishment. When asked what his favorite project was, he would always share the story of his work on the Bartlett Dam, even later in his Alzehimer’s diagnosis. Bartlett Dam had a malfunction, and the operation staff had asked for an engineer to determine the cause. Walter did an analysis to determine if the burst was due to stress or fatigue and, after Walter’s analysis that it was due to stress, the dam could operate comfortably again. As has been noted, Walter was a man of service who had achieved a great deal in his line of work, but when asked what his greatest accomplishment was, Walter always referred to his family. Walter and Marcy have eight (8) children together. On a flight to his oldest daughter’s wedding in 2015, Walter started talking to the airline attendant and told her how incredible it was that the back section of the plane was all his family, and it wasn’t even everyone. He went on to describe his eight children and seven grandchildren (at the time). For Walter, family was everything. He would drop what he was doing to support any of his children if they needed him. Walter loved to be a father, he was a protector, a guide, a support for all of his children, and he lived up to the fun dad stereotypes as he ensured each day included the ever favorite “dad jokes”. Finally, it is important to share that in his life journey he developed a deeper appreciation and love for the good, true, and beautiful. Walter and Marcy worked closely together to maintain an adoration schedule for Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Scottsdale, and he looked forward to his weekly holy hour. He once said that the silence that he experienced in that holy hour was so calming and he needed that silence to experience God. In this final year he would often ask for the Eucharist, and he enjoyed the songs and prayers that surrounded him. We pray with his passing that he has been brought into the gates of Eternal Glory. Walter is preceded in death by his mother Nanette and father Trent. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, and loving caregiver, Marcy Meacham, his 8 children Andy (Veronica), Michael (Chelsea), Erin (Connor), Alison (Nicholas), Mary Kate (Ryan – fiancée), Matthew, Clare, Annie; he is survived by 14 grandchildren, Aiden, Michael Trenton, Madison, Walter Patrick, Nicholas, Natalie, Isaac, Lucy, Emma, Eve, Ava, Elizabeth, Margaret, and Nicholas Hunter; He is also survived by his brothers Trent (Patricia), Bill (Kathy), and his sister Diane (Mark) as well as his nieces and nephews. A vigil will be held on Wednesday October 14, from 5-8 PM at Queen of Heaven Catholic Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 15, at 11am at St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Gilbert. If you plan to attend either, please bring masks and follow social distancing protocols set in place by the venues. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Meacham’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s team, Walter’s Warriors: https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2020/AZ-DesertSouthwest?team_id=656439&pg=team&fr_id=13269 Please see the direct link below.