This memorial website was created to remember our wonderful husband, father, and abuelo, Walter S Galindo. We loved him dearly and will miss him.

November 5, 1936 - August 7, 2010

Wife - Gladys Galindo

Children - Lillian Wheaton, Jackie Mitchell, and Walter J Galindo

Grandchildren-

 Eric, Kristina, and Jamie Mitchell

 Rachel Wheaton

 Brandon and Katie Galindo

 

Brother- Carlos Galindo 

Sisters - Maria Eugenia Ballon, Partricia Galindo,

and Frida Revilla 

From 1972 - 1994, Walter was very involved in growing the sport of soccer in the Northern Virginia area, co-founding the Little River Soccer Club. He was also instrumental in bringing the first indoor leagues to George Mason University.  Over 22 years, Walter coached all his children and his grandson Eric as a preschooler.

From 1974 - 2005, Walter worked in several countries as an entrepreneur, then as an economist/project manager with  ARD, Chemonics International Inc., and USAID,  on privatization, agricultural, judicial reform,  and land deeding projects. This work took him to Bolivia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Equatorial Guinea, Venezuela, Paraguay and Peru. He touched many lives and was proud of what he accomplished on these projects. He was instrumental in building the economy of cities, towns and villages where he worked, as well as helping those less fortunate build better lives for themselves.

In 2005, Walter retired, turning his attention to his family (his beloved grandchildren in particular), his golf game, and  his  beautiful backyard. Most important to him was his desire to ensure all his children and grandchildren learned of and experienced their Bolivian heritage. He took each grandchild to Bolivia the summer prior to their senior year in high school, and enrolled them in school. During this time they were immersed in the language and culture, and had the great fortune to get to know all their relatives in La Paz and Cochabamba - "La Familia".

His trips to his native country were truly a highlight for Walter, especially in 2000 when he took all fifteen members of his immediate family to visit.  The joy he experienced showing his children, their spouses and grandchildren the country he loved, fulfilled him like nothing else. 

It is a blessing to all of his children that the last 3 weeks of Walter's life was spent with his family. In July he flew with Jackie,  Gladys and Roxana to Texas and celebrated Lillian's 50th birthday weekend with her.  Lillian and Rachel flew back to Virginia with them, and they enjoyed several family gatherings together, as  they bid a bon voyage to Jamie on  her "senior trip" to Bolivia with her abuelo and abuela.  The fact that they were all together was rare, which makes those gatherings truly a gift from God.  They will forever cherish having spent this time with him.

On August 7, Walter had a heart attack and passed away  in Guaqui, a small town in the altiplano of La Paz, Bolivia. He took his last breath during a family gathering given in honor of their visit. He was happily dancing the traditional "Huayno" , hand in hand with his family... La familia

 We lost our family patriarch and words cannot express how much he meant to all of us, and how much he will be missed. We all sought him out for  guidance and advice, as did many others he came in contact with throughout his life and career. He was always willing to help and share his knowledge. We respected and loved him with all our hearts, and we will miss his generous spirit and his warmth. He was  our beloved "abuelo" who adored his grandchildren, and being with family and friends.