The adventure began when Walter was born July 20,1929, in Meeker, Colo., to Grettle and Frank Porter.
Ranch life turned to city life when the family moved to Boise, Idaho, where he attended Boise High School and had a chance to work in Joe Albertson’s first grocery store.
Later married, he was blessed with a son Stephen. After a time he found himself single again, and in Washington and Oregon, where he met Dorothy (Olson) Tate and her son Robert, and he remarried.
Moving the new family to Lake Oswego, Ore., he operated the only Texaco service station in the area with real service and repairs. Moving back to Boise, he began working with the U.S. Forest Service, sometimes outfitting the firefighters and then working at the Ranger Station in Lowman, Idaho.
In Boise he also began an interest in sports cars and joined the car club there. Years later, after being transferred to Twin Falls, Idaho, he started a new sports car club that grew and provided many friends.
With the next transfer, this time to Reno, Nev., he increased his knowledge of forestry, and in his spare time bought a race car and trained to get an SCCA drivers license. He raced in Nevada and California.
The next move brought Walter and Dorothy to McCall, Idaho, back to the woods again. A few years and a few feet of snow later, he was transferred to Ellensberg, Wash., where he worked on erosion and flood damage in the areas forests. The Porters also purchased property in Desert Aire, Wash., where they built a vacation home that later became their main residence.
Upon retirement, he and Dorothy moved to Spokane, Wash., and soon after bought a motor home to travel around the U.S.A. A few years later they settled in North Idaho to enjoy a quiet and comfortable life near Rathdrum and Spirit Lake. The Porters became involved with the Spirit Lake Lutheran Church, and also focused on weekly purchases of food and other donations for local food banks.
Walter passed on Feb. 19, 2022. He is survived by his wife Dorothy, son Robert Tate (Pamela), son Stephen Porter, grandson Shon Porter and great-granddaughter Jasmine Porter.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at Pacifica Courtyard in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The family appreciates the care provided by the staff at Pacifica Courtyard, CDA and Crest Home Health and Hospice, CDA. The family would appreciate donations to our local North Idaho food banks in Walter’s name.
