[time-nuts] Walter from Sphere Research - SK

[Bob Darlington]

Apologies for being the guy to break the news.  Doubly so because I've been
working on other projects and not interacting here.

Passing of Walter SHAWLEE II
04 September, 2023

Walter SHAWLEE II, 1949-2023 – Walter Shawlee II, as he said to tell the
world, died with stunning inconvenience. More specifically, he passed away
in Kelowna, BC, on September 4, 2023. Born in LA to Hollywood actress Joan
Shawlee and artist Walter Shawlee, he is survived by his wife Susan,
daughter Rosanne, son Walt, sister Angie, and niece Sydney.

Studying engineering at the University of California – Los Angeles, his
life was filled with many adventures as an electronics engineer, teacher,
entrepreneur, and slide rule aficionado. Long before he eventually settled
in Kelowna, BC, Walter and Susan were married in Halmstad, Sweden. They
would later immigrate to Canada, making multi-year pit stops in Vancouver
and Prince George.

It was in Prince George in 1979 that Walter and Susan founded Northern
Airborne Technology, an avionics and R&D company, which would later
relocate to Kelowna. This was not without its difficulties, and Walter
would be the first to sing the praise of every individual who ultimately
made NAT successful. Avionics equipment that NAT produced for aircrafts is
still flying today, and standards that Walter developed at NAT became
global industry standards. Walter’s life spanned countries and businesses,
and at each stage was deeply enriched by the incredible people who joined
in his exploits.

After transitioning NAT to new owners, Walter founded Sphere Research
Corporation, which set the course for 30 years of enthusiastic research and
development, test equipment metrology, and slide rule preservation.

During his many years as a business leader, Walter dedicated himself to the
development of future generations, chairing the BC Science Council, and
mentoring young people on working in STEM fields as a teacher for OUC. His
innovation, creativity, and charity have left a lasting mark on the world
far beyond the borders of the city he settled in, and his work is still
keeping the skies safe today.

Many thanks and much gratitude to the people who fearlessly participated in
his hobbies and business escapades, and who were his comrades throughout.
The Shawlee family extends their deep gratitude to all those people who
supported Walter during his final days.

Important - Sphere Research will continue to remain open and will be
conducting business, although we may be a bit slow in responding for the
next week.

Announcements 03 August, 2023
As many of our customers are aware, Walter Shawlee 2, the founder of Sphere
Research, the Slide Rule Universe, and a number of other enterprises
throughout the years, has fallen on ill health.  We will be liquidating
Sphere's inventory, and posting items for sale on a revised and slimmed
down "Stuff Page".


With condolences,
Bob - N3XKB