Walter Clement “Walt” Nason, Jr., 91, passed away peacefully at his home in Arlington surrounded by his family on January 7th. Born in1924 in Dorchester, he was the son of Vera Guild Nason and Walter C. Nason. Walter is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Charlotte Ann (Collyer), and his four children: Steven C. Nason and his partner Paul E. Glover; Susan Nason Gervais and her husband Marc; Sandra Nason Lapointe and her husband James; and Scott C. Nason and his wife Annie. Walter was the loving grandfather of Michelle, Matthew and Michael Lapointe, Sara and Stephanie Gervais, and Andrew, Jessie and Emily Nason. He also leaves his sister-in-law Velma Collyer, brother-in-law Robert Whittier, niece Jenny Whittier, nephews John and James Whittier, and many great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Helen Nason Whittier in 2006 and by his wife, Ruth Esther Driver, in 1947. Walt was raised in South Weymouth and Braintree and graduated as valedictorian from Thayer Academy in 1941. From there he went to M.I.T. where he earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1945 and a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1949. He then worked for the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio on oxygenating pilots at high elevations. In 1950, he married Charlotte Ann Collyer of North Weymouth. They lived in Dayton and then moved back to the Boston area, settling in Wollaston before moving to Arlington in 1956. Following Wright-Patterson, Walt worked for Cambridge Corporation, an Arthur D. Little affiliate, where he and two others developed a patented vacuum jacketed container, designed to carry liquid oxygen for use in aircraft. He had a satisfying, 45-year career as Chief Design Engineer at Process Engineering, Inc. (now part of Chart Industries, Inc.), where he designed cryogenic storage vessels. He thoroughly enjoyed his career and family, particularly his grandchildren, photography, biking, camping, boating, and traveling. He was a lifelong student of everything: technology, history and current events; he loved to learn. Walter and Charlotte attended church through the years at Park Avenue Congregational Church in Arlington and Park Street Church in Boston. Over the past few years, they have lived happily at Sunrise of Arlington Assisted Living. They and the family have greatly appreciated the support of their devoted caregivers at Sunrise, Seasons Hospice Care and Massachusetts General Hospital. A Funeral service will be held on Tuesday at Park Avenue Congregational Church, 50 Paul Revere Road, Arlington at 11 am.. Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours at the Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Chestnut Street, Arlington on Monday from 4-8 pm. Internment is private. Memorial donations may be made to Comfort Care Hospice
400 Cummings Park Dr, Suite 1725, Woburn, MA 01801, or to a charity of your choice. For directions or to send a message of condolence please visit www.keefefuneralhome.com