Walter D. McKerchar, 78

Walter D. McKerchar, of Poulsbo, died Aug. 12 at Harrison Hospital in Bremerton.

He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Sept. 8, 1929 and enlisted in the Coast Guard at age 15 to serve in World War II.

He attended MIT, and became an electronic engineer, specializing in electromagnetics. After working in a number of aeronautical companies, he moved to Boeing and then eventually went into a consulting business for himself, traveling all over the world with his wife, Kaye.

He was renowned in his field and received many awards.

After the couple moved to Poulsbo, he became a principal consultant of electromagnetic engineering. Walt was active in the Seattle Nile Temple, and his greatest reward was in entertaining others; he attended a three-day University of Minnesota clown school program to become a Shrine Clown.

He was a member of St. Antony’s Episcopal Church and Noon Lyons, and was a Poulsbo police volunteer, a docent at the Undersea Naval Museum, and a charter member of the Viking Shrine Club.

He is survived by his wife, Kaye McKerchar; son Jim McKerchar; daughters June Tommey and Kim Reef; stepson Rick Jennings; six grandchildren; and many great grandchildren, with one on the way.

His life and legacy will be honored and celebrated at 2 p.m. Aug. 19 at St. Antony’s Episcopal Church in Silverdale. Memorials can be sent to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center at PO Box 19024 Seattle, WA 98109.

An online guest book is at www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Robert Alphon Gray, age 78

Robert A. Gray, 78, Bainbridge High class of 1947, died in Arlington, Wash., on Aug. 10 from complications of Parkinson’s Disease.

He is survived by his wife, Donna; daughter Sharon Gray of Everett; son Bob (Dorita) Gray of Ferndale, Wash; and brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.

Interment was at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent on Aug. 14. Remembrances can be left at http://bonneywatson.com/_mgxroot/page_10775.php?id=569937.