Doug Walker, a Seattle tech entrepreneur who became one of Seattle’s leading philanthropists and conservationists, died in a snowshoeing accident on Granite Mountain over the New Year’s holiday. He had been reported missing Dec. 31 when he didn’t return from a hike and was found the next day. Walker, 65, was an avid climber and hiker who is survived by his wife, Maggie and their daughter, Kina.
Walker was a longtime Fred Hutch Board of Trustees member, who twice served as Board Chair. The Walkers’ support established the Walker fellowship in immunotherapy at Fred Hutch.
“It is a sudden and tragic end to a life of service,” said Dr. Gary Gilliland, Fred Hutch president and director. “We have been so incredibly fortunate to have a board member who could climb the tallest mountains, both literally and figuratively. Doug will be sorely missed by all of us.”
Dr. Mark Groudine, Fred Hutch executive vice president and deputy director, also remembered his longtime friend.
“Doug was so influential, but so humble and unpretentious,” he said. “Personally, he was a great friend, and I trusted him to take my wife, Cynthia, on rock and mountain climbs.”
“We will miss Doug, as both a friend and as an extraordinary supporter of the Hutch,” Groudine said. “His perspectives from his experiences in both for profit and non-profits were extraordinarily important. Doug was also a scientist (mathematician) at heart and loved learning what our investigators were doing, often visiting our labs. Of course, that he also dressed like a scientist -- bike shorts at board meetings -- endeared him to us.”
“Doug Walker will be missed.”
Here is a sampling of the news and remembrances:
Doug Walker, killed in apparent avalanche, used tech wealth to spread love for the outdoors – Seattle Times
Doug Walker, Seattle tech entrepreneur and outdoor enthusiast, found dead after hiking accident – New York Daily News
Seattle software pioneer Doug Walker dies in New Year’s Eve hiking accident on Granite Mountain – GeekWire
Seattle philanthropist found dead on Washington mountain – NBC News
Former top exec, conservationist Doug Walker found dead on Granite Mountain – Seattlepi.com
If you’d like to leave your own remembrance, visit Fred Hutch’s Facebook page here.
