Walter Edison Lowe, Jr. was born on February 24, 1928 at Harlem Hospital in New York City. He was the only child of Susie E. Lowe and Walter Edison Lowe, Sr. His father died when he was very young. Walter attended the famous Dunbar High School inWashington, DC and graduated from Jamaica High School in Queens, New York.
His interest in all things mechanical took him to Adelphi University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He subsequently, continued his engineering studies with extensive coursework at the Tandoe School of Engineering at New York University.
- Advertisement -
Following college he served in the United States Navy, stationed in the South Pacific on board the USS Kearsarge LHD -2. He achieved the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer and was honorably discharged from the Anacosta Naval Station, Washington, D.C.
Taking advantage of his knowledge and experience in electrical engineering, Walter joined the Republic Aviation Corporation as a project engineer in the electronic products division. Later he joined NYNEX, now Verizon, as a project engineer in the transmission section. At NYNEX, he rose through the corporate ranks to become staff manager in affirmative action compliance, diversity, inclusion and urban affairs.
He was also a member of the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communications Engineers, the American Rocket Society, the American Society of Standards Engineers, and the Public Relations Society of America.
He also believed in giving back to the community and contributed his time to the youth in Queens County through the Boy Scouts of America, where he was certified as an
Advanced Scoutmaster. Walter was active in community affairs and has served as Chairman of the Harlem YMCA, the President of the Upper Manhattan Rotary Club, the UNCF Advisory Council and Concerned Black Executives of New York.
His affable personality and his keen interest in people ensured that he would be an active member of the Brooklyn Chapter of the National Association of Guardsmen and he attended many of their annual events domestically and internationally. He was known for being outspoken and could definitely hold his own when it came time to agree or disagree on the many topics discussed at monthly meetings.
Walter enjoyed traveling and would make an annual trip to Barbados for an extended stay during the winter months. He also enjoyed sports as a spectator and traveled to many of the Olympic games. He took great pride in having attended the Mexico Games in 1968, when John Carlos and Tommie Smith raised their fists with the Black Power salute. There is a signed photograph of the occasion in Walter’s home.
His intellectual curiosity allowed him to be well versed on many topics from politics to climate change, the economy and world affairs. In all areas, he considered himself to be the most well read and informed.
In the 1940’s his mother purchased a cottage on 47 Vineyard Ave. in Oak Bluffs, which became their homestead on the Vineyard. Walter came to love this community for its spring and summer periods as it became populated with people who came seasonally and the cohesive social atmosphere accelerated. Walter and his mother had an arrangement with the house that allowed him to invite his friends from New York City and elsewhere to stay over as long as the property was taken care of and maintained.
Oh, if those walls could talk? Well, we will not go there in order to protect the innocent and the guilty. Walter’s “ white parties”, hosted on the Vineyard, were infamous and at the same time famous for the good times, quality food and beverages. Walter liked a good party, and knew how to curate a fun filled event. As a result of his engaging personality, social graces and acumen he was well known and often called the “ Mayor of Oak Bluffs “. Walter loved his friends and up until Covid he took pride in hosting guests at his summer cottage.
With his knowledge and experience in engineering, he had an in-depth understanding of audiology, speaker construction, development and installation of mid to high end sound systems, resulting in the founding of WEL Productions . The company was sought out to install sound systems in many of the clubs and music venues in and around the Tri-state area.
Walter was married years ago for a brief time and divorced. He was a confirmed bachelor for a number of years, that was until he met and established a longterm relationship with Cheryle Wills of Cleveland, Ohio.. A beautiful couple they were, as they traveled the world enjoying themselves along the way. Sadly, Cheryle’s health declined over the past two-three years and she transitioned last February. He was devoted to her even as her health declined. Toward the end of Cheryle’s life, Walter’s long time heart challenges reoccurred. He was most recently hospitalized and transferred to a rehabilitation center to regain his mobility and strength. The prognosis for his recovery was not optimistic and he transitioned while asleep.
Walter’s spirituality was fulfilled by his weekly attendance at Riverside Church, where his ashes will be interred in the church’s columbarium. He was also a frequent worshiper at the Abyssinian Baptist Church located in Harlem, pastored at the time by the late Dr. Rev. Calvin O. Butts III. Whenever, Rev. Butts was on Martha’s Vineyard, Walter took it upon himself and considered it his responsibility and honor to provide transport for Rev. Butts while on the island.
Walter Edison Lowe, Jr. lived a long, fun filled life where the world was his oyster and made friends over the decades that lasted a lifetime. He will be missed in New York City, New Jersey, Barbados and Martha’s Vineyard. He now joins the love of his life Cheryle Wills in heaven. May they begin the party anew.
