ST. TAMMANY PARISH, LA. Obituary for: GALLINGHOUSE, WALTER WILLIAM, JR. Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. Source: E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, Covington, La. Died: Tueesday, May 16, 2017 ======================================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.shtml ======================================================================= GALLINGHOUSE, WALTER WILLIAM, JR. December 10, 1947 - May 16, 2017 ========== A photo is available for this file. Please go to http://usgwarchives.net/la/sttammany/obits/dateobits/2017/st1705.htm and click to view list of photos. ========== Walter William Gallinghouse, Jr., beloved husband of Joanne Jemison Gallinghouse, passed away on May 16, 2017, after a long, courageous battle. Preceded in death by parents Velma Kincaid and Walter Gallinghouse, Sr., he is survived by sister Janice Gallinghouse Colangelo and brother-in-law Frank Colangelo, and numerous cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews and dear friends. A graduate of Cor Jesu, he also attended Loyola University’s Criminal Justice program. Walter discovered the magic of ham radio at the age of 12, which eventually led to his career as Detective in the N.O.P.D., and back to two-way radios in 1982. Walter received several commendations for his work on the N.O.P.D., which was a testament to his tenacity and investigative skills. He founded The Communications Center in 1986, a two-way radio company specializing in the business and public safety sectors. Applying lessons learned from volunteering as a teenager during Hurricanes Betsy and Camille, Walter built MEDCOM, a critical backup radio system that allows first responders, hospitals, nursing homes, ambulances and other medical providers to communicate in emergency situations. In fact, MEDCOM was a lifesaver for many during Hurricane Katrina, as Walter worked tirelessly to keep the system operating under adverse conditions. Always fearless and adventurous, Walter was a competitive water skier, avid snow skier, scuba diver, back packer, and loved to climb his 500+-foot radio towers. He found his ultimate passion in flying, which led to even more adventures, highlighted by the chance to pilot an L-39 jet fighter trainer. He was a great mentor, a loyal friend, a devoted “Elvi” to his wife’s DIVA, and loved cheeseburgers and whiskey sours. The word “moderation” was not part of his vocabulary. Whether lobbying Congress and the FCC for his industry as V-P of the national organization, SMR One, or convincing the Wildlife & Fisheries department to deny a permit to expand the Old Landing sewage treatment plant that was polluting the Bogue Falaya River, Walt fought hard for what he believed in. A resident of St. Tammany since 1976, Walter was very generous with his time and treasure in the community. His final legacy was to establish a scholarship fund through the ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay League) Foundation and to help set up a curriculum at Northshore Technical College to ensure St. Tammany would have qualified people in his field. He did this from his hospital bed at MD Anderson. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st Avenue, Covington, LA 70433 on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 12:00 noon with visitation on Saturday beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment in Hope Mausoleum will be Monday, May 22, 2017 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Mr. Gallinghouse to be made to The Walter Gallinghouse, K5DSL, Scholarship fund (arrl.org/the- arrl-foundation) or MD Anderson Cancer Center (gifts.mdanderson.org). ===================