Colonel (ret.) Douglas Bruce Walter of Hilo, Hawaiʻi, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 4, 2022. He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Elizabeth Naomi Walter (née Moku), of Kaneohe, Hawaiʻi; his children Kaʻiʻini (Justin) Jepson & Douglas Moku (Carolyn) Walter; his grandchildren Ethan, William, Caleb, Anna-Luisa, Henry, Andrew, Katharina, Seth & Friedrich; his three brothers Thomas (Eileen) Walter, William (Adella) Walter & David (Lois) Walter; his sister-in-law Jean Moku & brother-in-law Samuel (Pohai) Moku; and many nieces and nephews.

Doug was born on November 25, 1950, in Seattle, Washington to William & Beryl Walter and grew up in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, from the age of five. He graduated from The University of Washington and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, entering active duty at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaiʻi, in July 1973. After a thirty-year career which spanned six overseas and numerous domestic assignments, Doug retired at Hickam on July 29, 2003.

Doug's life was centered around his faith in Jesus, love of family, and commitment to duty. Doug loved God's Word, could always be found with his Bible next to him, and loved sharing the gospel with his family and others.  He also had a heart for missions, and the family often had visiting missionaries over for a meal or to stay.  Doug was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, as well as a beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, and nephew.  He was sharp and witty, with a dry humor enjoyed by all, yet very humble and tender.  He would light up a room with his relaxed good-nature and smiling eyes.

Doug was very musical: not only did he read music, but he could also play the piano by ear. He especially loved to play hymns and Hawaiian music. He played piano for Sunday School, and would happily volunteer to step in if ever there was a need for a church pianist. He had a wonderful deep singing voice and enjoyed playing the ukulele, too, as well as the organ.  God also blessed Doug with artistic gifts. He enjoyed drawing, wood carving, and making stained-glass, among other things. Doug also loved swimming, especially fully underwater, and once in the water, whether the ocean or a swimming pool, it was nearly impossible to get him out again.

Doug had a love of different peoples and cultures, and loved to travel.  He had a deep and abiding sense of belonging to Hawaiʻi– how fitting that he should have met the love of his life in Hawaiian language class at The University of Hawaiʻi. He studied anthropology in his undergraduate studies, with a focus on Polynesia, Micronesia, and the Pacific Islands.  His family enjoyed traveling and seeing the world with him through his different assignments in the Air Force.  Whatever country or culture he happened to be in or visiting, he had a deep respect for and took great interest in the local peoples and their ways, and would assimilate as much as possible, whether it be in Central and South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, or Africa.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon at College Church , 332 E. Seminary, Wheaton, IL 60187, where a funeral service will be held at 12:00 Noon.  A livestream link for the service will be available here: Livestream for Douglas Walter at College Church .

Interment with Military Honors will be held at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery , 45-349 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., preceded by a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. at the Kaneohe Congregational Church , 45-114 Waikapoki Rd., Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744.

Flowers may be sent to the respective churches in advance of the services. Gifts may be directed in memory of Douglas B. Walter to the The Caring Network - www.caringnetwork.com

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.