Lt. Cmdr. Walter Francis Mitchell, USN (Ret.) - Obituary

alter Francis Mitchell (LCDR USN Ret.), 81, of Annapolis, Maryland, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, August 12, 2016. A 1958 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he loved his family, the Catholic Church, the United States Navy - especially the Class of '58, golf, happy hours at Carrol's Creek Cafe, Sunday breakfast at Chick and Ruth's Deli, the Redskins, the Nationals and his wide network of friends. "Walt" was born on January 2, 1935 to Walter S. and Rita M. Mitchell in Washington, DC. After graduating from Gonzaga College High School, he joined the Navy Reserve as a Seaman Apprentice and attended the Sullivan School to prepare for the Naval Academy entrance exams. He graduated with a B.S. in engineering and graduated from the Naval Post-Graduate School in 1965 with a second B.S. and advanced studies in meteorology. Walt was very proud of his sons Scott (Ellen) Mitchell and Martin (Sandy) Mitchell, daughters Kathleen (Mike) Murphy, Suzanne Fajer, Michele (Chris) Jackson, many loving grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family. He was a dedicated father, grandfather, brother and friend to all. He is also survived by his brother Robert (Bernadette) Mitchell and his former spouse and mother of his children Regina Walsh Mitchell. He is predeceased by his sister Rita (the late John) Wettlaufer and his son-in-law Salo Fajer. During his 20 year career as a Naval officer, Walt received his Naval Aviator Wings in 1960; served at the Navy Fleet Weather Facility and served as the officer in charge of the Antarctic Support Force. Following two deployments to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, and two seasons directing the Southern Hemisphere Forecasting School, Walt directed development of highly classified satellite systems for Naval ships and carriers; served as Navy Satellite Liaison Officer to NOAA and the NASA Goddard Space Center Meteorological Laboratory and retired from the Navy in 1978. Upon retiring from the Navy, he worked with SAIC and STX, and taught in Anne Arundel County public and private schools and Anne Arundel Community College. He served as a church lector for 53 years, 31 of those years with St. Mary's Church in Annapolis. Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Monday, August 15, from 4pm to 7pm at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. A memorial mass will be offered on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at 10:30am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 109 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. Inurnment will follow at the US Naval Academy Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gonzaga College High School, 19 Eye Street, Washington, DC 20001 and St. Vincent De Paul c/o St. Mary's Church, 109 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis, MD 21401.An online guest book is available at www.kalasfuneralhomes.com.