Ernest S. "Doc" Walcher
Obituaries
Eagle Valley Enterprise - March 17, 2005
Ernest S. "Doc" Walcher, a former state highway employee and World War II veteran, whol held various official positions in Gypsum, died March 10, in Denver. He was 83
Walcher was born in Darby, PA, on March 15, 1921 and moved with his family to Oklahoma in the 1930s. The Dust Bowl era forced the family west to Colorado and Gypsum, where Walcher was valedictorian of his graduating class at Eagle County High School.
Walcher worked for the Civilian Conservation Corp in Glenwood Springs, building bridges for the U.S. Forest Service. Walcher and a brother enlisted in the military on Dec. 7, 1941. Walcher served four years in the South Pacific with the Night Fighter Squadron, primarily bombing Japanese positions at night.
After the war, Walcher returned to Gypsum and married Joyce Anderson on May 13, 1946.
Walcher worked for the Colorado State Highway Maintenance Department for 30 years. He was responsible for Highway 24, over Tennessee Pass, and Highway 6, over Vail Pass.
Eager to continue working, Walcher drove road graders and snowplows for Eagle County for four years. He later worked for the town of Gypsum on the Turgeonville property (along Highway 6, just south of the railroad bridge), where he mowed and trimmed the lawn.
Walcher, who received the Congressional Record for outstanding public service from U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis, was mayhor of Gypsum from 1960 to 1968. He also was schief of the town's volunteer fire department and commander of American Legion Post 150.
Walcher regularly participated in Memorial Day Services, and was a member of the ceremonial firing squad when fellow soldiers died.
He enjoyed working in his yard, and always had beautiful flowers and a perfect lawn. All the people that drove by on Valley Road were his friends. He was known for his friendly greetings as he walked to the post office.
After Walcher's wife died in 2003, he moved to Denver, because of health issues. He lived with four other people in an assisted-living facility for Alzheimer's patients. There, he continued to work in the yard and garden and until recently, enjoyed planting flowers, sweeping and shoveling snow. He enjoyed the sight of Denver living; and loved to dance, sing, and listen to music. His friends and relatives will long remember his contagious laugh and smile.
He is survived by his children, Dan Walcher of Vail, Janet Cunningham of Centennial and Dennis Walcher of Littleton; his grandchildren, Michael Cunningham, Sara Weidner, Erika Walcher and Stefan Walcher; brother William of Grand Junction; and a sister, Thelma Schultz of Arvada.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Walcher.
A memorial service will be held in May.
Vail Daily page A8 - March 16, 2005
Ernest S. “Doc” Walcher, a former state highway employee and World War II veteran who held various official positions in Gypsum, died in Denver. Walcher was born in Darby, Pa. on March 15, 1921 and moved with his family to Oklahoma in the 1930s. The Dust Bowl forced the family west to Colorado and Gypsum, where Walcher was the valedictorian of his graduating class at Eagle County High School. Walcher worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps in Glenwood Springs, building bridges for the U.S. Forest Service. Walcher and a brother enlisted in the military just after the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese Navy. Walcher served for four years in the South Pacific with the Night Fighter Squadron, primarily bombing Japanese positions at night. After the war, Walcher returned to Gypsum and married Joyce Anderson on May 13, 1946. Walcher was mayor of Gypsum from 1960 to 1968. He also was chief of the town’s volunteer fire department.
Ernest S. "Doc" Walcher, a former state highway employee and World War II veteran who held various official positions in Gypsum, died Thursday in Denver. He was 83.
Walcher was born in Darby, PA on March 15, 1921 and moved with his family to OK in the 1930s. Th eDut Bowl forced the family west to Colorado and Gypsum, where Walcher was the valedictorian of his graduating class at Eagle County High School.
Walcher worked for the Civil Conservation Corps (CCC) in Glenwood Springs building bridges for the US Forest Service. Walcher and a brother enlisted in the military on December 7, 1941. Walcher served for four years in the South Pacific with the Night Fighter Squdron, primarily bombing Japanese positions at nght.
After the war, Walcher returned to Gypsum and married Joyce Anderson on May 13, 19046.
Walcher worked for the Colorado State Highway Maintenance Department for 30 years. He was responsible for Highway 24 over Tennessee Pass and Highway 6 over Vail Pass.
Walcher drove roadgraders and snowplows for Eagle County for four years. He lated worked for the town of Gypsum on the Turgeonville property, where he moved and trimmed the lawn. Walcher, who received the Congressional Record for Outstanding Public Service by US Rep. Scott McInnis, was also mayor of Gypsum from 1960 to 1968. [end of print obituary]
