Walter Frederick Dandois
Walter Frederick Dandois was born July 3, 1933 in Spokane Washington to Gladys and Charles Dandois. He was the oldest of three boys, middle brother Paul and youngest brother Charles. His father was a chemical engineer and moved around a lot, working in many different mines. Walter would tell stories about living in Telluride, Colorado and how the winters were so rough. In the early 1950s, his mother and father left for South America to work in the mines. He stayed back with a family in oceanside where he graduated high school. He had fond memories of surf fishing and once seeing a hammerhead shark when he was walking on one of the piers. On June 17, 1953, Walter entered active service in the US Army and served honorably until his separation on May 17, 1955. He enjoyed his time in the army and was a little disappointed he never made it to Germany.
Walter would attend several colleges until he finally settled in at UNR, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. It was there he met Donna Askins who would become his wife in 1960. With his degree in hand and a teaching credential, he got to work teaching at Sparks High. ln 1961 came a daughter Leslie Dandois, in 1964 another daughter Amy Dandois and in 1966 a son James Dandois. Walter had a love of the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He would tell stories of the bucks he got in Nevada, or of hiking in the Sierra Nevadas to fish for Golden Trout. In 1967 he took a teaching job at Lassen High School in Susanville, CA. He would go on to get his masters and teach many subjects, Chemistry, Physics, math, computer science and even Spanish, retiring in 1989. He had a love for Mexico and the Spanish language, taking many trips to various places, even once driving a motor home down the west coast side and coming back through the gulf coast side.
Even after he and Donna divorced, we were able to have family functions with all the grandkids and grandparents attending. We appreciated this as a family and made for some quality holiday time. Walter moved back to Susanville in 2010 after spending 20 years in the Sacramento and Folsom area. He worked for the Sacramento Bee, Home Depot and Wal Mart during this time. In 2015 he suffered a stroke and upon recovery lived out the rest of his life at Lassen Nursing and Rehabilitation where he received excellent care. Walter passed away peacefully on Friday, August 15, 2019, at the age of 86.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Gladys, brother Charles, daughter Amy, and grandson Joseph (Max) Dandois. He is survived by brother Paul Dandois, daughter Leslie Dandois (Dale Beesmer), son James Dandois (Nicole LoBuglio), granddaughter Heather Beesmer, grandson Dylan Beesmer, grandson Bill Dandois and several nieces, and nephews. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the Northern California Cancer Advocates in his name.
Memorial services for Walter will be held Saturday, September 14th at 11:00 am at Waltonās Chapel.
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