Born April 2, 1943 in Buffalo, NY to Ernest J. Walter Sr. and Pearl Pressing, Skip was the youngest of two boys. Skip grew up in the Buffalo area and graduated from St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute. Later Skip attended Tri-State University in Angola, IN, and in 1967 he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Business. While at Tri-State, Skip became a brother in the Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, and met the love of his life, Barbara R. Diggins of La Grange, IN. In 1968 Skip began his 30-year career with IBM, and that September he and Barbara were married. Late in 1971 Skip and Barb welcomed their first child to the world, a healthy baby boy they named Christopher Ernest. Then in early 1975 they were blessed again with another healthy baby boy whom they named Andrew William. Over the next 23 years Skip and Barb raised their boys in the Niles Michigan area. By 1997Skip's IBM field office was closed and he and Barb relocated to Atlanta, GA with the company.Finally, in 1998 Skip retired from IBM and they moved to the shores of Lake Hartwell inAnderson, SC. For the next two decades Skip and Barb enjoyed the fruits of their hard work. They spentcountless hours on the lake, they made long lasting friendships with wonderful people, and theyexplored the world with abandon. This was also Skip's opportunity to give back and pay forward.Skip was a long-time volunteer with Habitat For Humanity in Anderson, and served on it'sBoard. Skip also served as a Board Member for the Lake Hartwell Association, and he was aformer President for the Lake Hartwell Chapter of The Friendship Force. Skip had a lifelong love of automobiles and auto racing, he loved to explore new places andexperience their culture, and he loved making new friends and connections. Most of all Skip wasa loving and dedicated Husband and Father who loved his Family with his every fiber, and willbe greatly missed forever. Skip passed from this world on February 4, 2021 from complicationsassociated with Covid-19. He was not alone. Fair weather and following seas Papa, until we meet again. You will always be my Hero!04/02/1943