HR0898 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0898 LRB104 21836 RMO 37623 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of David Lynn Walter, who passed away on May 2, 2026; and

WHEREAS, David Walter, the son of Joseph August and Lillie Belva (Epps) Walter, was born in Edwardsville on May 27, 1936; he earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Music Education with high honors at Eastern Illinois University and received administrative credentials from Northwestern University; and

WHEREAS, David Walter began his 34-year music teaching career as the choral director of Lincoln High School and Lincoln College; he subsequently taught music at Glenbrook North High School in north suburban Chicago for 33 years, serving as choral director, instructional supervisor, and district co-manager for school restructuring; he was elected president of the Glenbrook Educators' Association and was a member of the national test development committee for Advanced Placement Music prior to his retirement in 1994; and

WHEREAS, David Walter sang as the principal second tenor of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, where he was appointed apprentice conductor and was honored as a scholarship student in orchestral conducting; as choir master of the Libertyville Presbyterian Church, he was gifted the Outstanding Jaycee Young Educator Award for suburban Cook County; he also received a National Science Foundation Scholarship for Advanced Study in Baroque Music; and

WHEREAS, After moving to New Mexico in 1995, David Walter helped to found the charter school East Mountain High School in 2000, serving as chair of its governing council in the following years; he conducted the East Mountain Community Chorus' annual performance of MESSIAH, served as community liaison for the Paa-Ko Communities, was named an East Mountain Outstanding Citizen in 2012, and received the East Mountain High School Foundation Roger Cox Spirit of Giving Award in 2014; he later served on the board of the World Affairs Council of Albuquerque; and

WHEREAS, David Walter was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, an avid tennis player, and a passionate walker who enjoyed projects involving organization and detail; and

WHEREAS, David Walter will be remembered as a kind, gentle, and gracious man; and

WHEREAS, David Walter was preceded in death by his parents and his older brothers, Gregor Lee, Joseph Wayne, and Kenneth James; and

WHEREAS, David Walter is survived by his wife of 45 years, Jean; his son, Steven; and his grandsons, Harrison and Solomon; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of David Lynn Walter and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of David Walter as an expression of our deepest sympathy.