Roll Call Tribute
Walter Wilcox '81 August 18, 2020 1:15 PM updated: August 18, 2020 2:27 PM
Walter Wilcox
1959 - 2020
Walter Randolph Wilcox, of Cedar Hill, Texas, went home to be with his Lord on Thursday August 13, 2020 after fighting COVID-19 for almost two months. Walter was born in Bryan, Texas in 1959 to Walter Wallace Wilcox and Gladys (Boyett) Poston. He grew up running through the cow pastures and tinkering with his father's bulldozers. He attended Texas A&M University and received a degree in Civil Engineering in 1981, and a master's degree in 1982. He married his sweetheart, Sarah Zenner, in 1980. After a brief stint designing wood trusses for Alpine Co., Walter began a 36-year career as a structural engineer with L.A. Fuess Partners in 1984, where he designed hundreds of major structures including airports, schools, churches, hospitals, office and residential towers, and historic building renovations. He distinguished himself as a technical wizard, prodigious producer, creative thinker, and a team player who earned the respect and admiration of engineers, architects, builders, and developers. After only five years, Walter was promoted to Partner. He succeeded the firm's founder, Larry Fuess, as LAFP's President and CEO in 2004. As President, Walter oversaw steady growth and expansion of the firm, from 30 employees in 2004 to more than 80 today, with offices in Dallas and Boston. After transitioning out of his role as President in 2019, he continued to serve as CEO until he retired in April of this year. Walter's skill set at LAFP was unmatched. He was a standout at managing computer systems, leading the firm through multiple technology advances in engineering design, drawing, and management software. He was a master of both complex structural design and the demands of running a successful engineering practice. His devotion to mentoring of up-and-coming firm leaders has been instrumental in the firm's continued success and enviable position in the structural engineering marketplace. Walter's most notable engineering achievements include major, award-winning aviation structures and high-rise office towers. He was the lead structural engineer on DFW Airport's International Terminal D, and the project manager for Sacramento Airport's new Central Terminal B in California. Recent work includes twin high-rise office towers for Liberty Mutual in Plano. He spent much of his final year guiding the design of a multi-tower mixed use development for KDC in Dallas. Walter was also a strong leader for his church, and a generous mentor and teacher for his family and friends. He was eager to help others by giving advice or lending a hand with any and all range of projects, strongly opinionated about the elegant solution, with a keen eye for details. His thoughtfulness in helping others was equal to the dedication and boldness in which he approached any endeavor. His generosity and faithfulness to his friends was greatly admired. Walter deeply loved his family and was in a very happy place in his life. He enjoyed his profession, learning new things, traveling, household projects, dominoes and country music, playing with his grandchildren, and supporting his church, Trinity United Methodist Church in Duncanville. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Sarah; son Brad and wife Sarah; daughter Cristi and husband Kevin; five grandchildren Molly, Maggie, Max, Walter, and Theodore; and his mother Gladys Poston. He was preceded in death by his father Walter, and his grandmother Helen Wilcox. Walter will be buried in a private ceremony at Alexander Cemetery near Wilcox Lane in Bryan, Texas. A digital celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2020; please contact the family for details.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840. Please designate the general memorial scholarship fund in memory of Walter Wilcox '81. Once all memorial gifts have been collected, a permanent scholarship in Engineering will be established in Walter's name.Please take care of yourselves, your loved ones, and your community during this pandemic. Walter is dearly missed and will be forever loved.
© 2020 Legacy.com All rights Reserved
1959 - 2020
Walter Randolph Wilcox, of Cedar Hill, Texas, went home to be with his Lord on Thursday August 13, 2020 after fighting COVID-19 for almost two months. Walter was born in Bryan, Texas in 1959 to Walter Wallace Wilcox and Gladys (Boyett) Poston. He grew up running through the cow pastures and tinkering with his father's bulldozers. He attended Texas A&M University and received a degree in Civil Engineering in 1981, and a master's degree in 1982. He married his sweetheart, Sarah Zenner, in 1980. After a brief stint designing wood trusses for Alpine Co., Walter began a 36-year career as a structural engineer with L.A. Fuess Partners in 1984, where he designed hundreds of major structures including airports, schools, churches, hospitals, office and residential towers, and historic building renovations. He distinguished himself as a technical wizard, prodigious producer, creative thinker, and a team player who earned the respect and admiration of engineers, architects, builders, and developers. After only five years, Walter was promoted to Partner. He succeeded the firm's founder, Larry Fuess, as LAFP's President and CEO in 2004. As President, Walter oversaw steady growth and expansion of the firm, from 30 employees in 2004 to more than 80 today, with offices in Dallas and Boston. After transitioning out of his role as President in 2019, he continued to serve as CEO until he retired in April of this year. Walter's skill set at LAFP was unmatched. He was a standout at managing computer systems, leading the firm through multiple technology advances in engineering design, drawing, and management software. He was a master of both complex structural design and the demands of running a successful engineering practice. His devotion to mentoring of up-and-coming firm leaders has been instrumental in the firm's continued success and enviable position in the structural engineering marketplace. Walter's most notable engineering achievements include major, award-winning aviation structures and high-rise office towers. He was the lead structural engineer on DFW Airport's International Terminal D, and the project manager for Sacramento Airport's new Central Terminal B in California. Recent work includes twin high-rise office towers for Liberty Mutual in Plano. He spent much of his final year guiding the design of a multi-tower mixed use development for KDC in Dallas. Walter was also a strong leader for his church, and a generous mentor and teacher for his family and friends. He was eager to help others by giving advice or lending a hand with any and all range of projects, strongly opinionated about the elegant solution, with a keen eye for details. His thoughtfulness in helping others was equal to the dedication and boldness in which he approached any endeavor. His generosity and faithfulness to his friends was greatly admired. Walter deeply loved his family and was in a very happy place in his life. He enjoyed his profession, learning new things, traveling, household projects, dominoes and country music, playing with his grandchildren, and supporting his church, Trinity United Methodist Church in Duncanville. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Sarah; son Brad and wife Sarah; daughter Cristi and husband Kevin; five grandchildren Molly, Maggie, Max, Walter, and Theodore; and his mother Gladys Poston. He was preceded in death by his father Walter, and his grandmother Helen Wilcox. Walter will be buried in a private ceremony at Alexander Cemetery near Wilcox Lane in Bryan, Texas. A digital celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2020; please contact the family for details.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840. Please designate the general memorial scholarship fund in memory of Walter Wilcox '81. Once all memorial gifts have been collected, a permanent scholarship in Engineering will be established in Walter's name.Please take care of yourselves, your loved ones, and your community during this pandemic. Walter is dearly missed and will be forever loved.
© 2020 Legacy.com All rights Reserved
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