[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 38 (Monday, March 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN MEMORY OF WALTER J. BUCKERT, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 5, 2018

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, sadly, Walter J. Buckert, 
Jr., a proven champion for military service-members and their devoted 
families, passed away last week. He will always be cherished for 
championing benefits for our military and providing extraordinary jobs 
for military family members. The Office of the Second Congressional 
District of South Carolina was fortunate to have as staff members two 
of his talented granddaughters, Elizabeth Grayson and Katherine 
Grayson, who he influenced for extraordinary service on behalf of 
constituents. I include in the Record the following thoughtful 
obituary:

       Walter J. Buckert, Jr., age 85, passed away peacefully on 
     Sunday, February 25th at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Virginia.
       Walter was born on February 24th, 1933, in Rochester NY, to 
     Walt and Marge Buckert. In 1955, Walter graduated from 
     Georgetown University with a BA in Business. He joined the 
     General Electric Company's Corporate Financial Program where 
     he was assigned to the Federal Government Department of 
     Electronics Division. From there, he was promoted to General 
     Electric's Lighting Business Group, its highest division by 
     revenue at that time. He took on increasing roles of 
     responsibility with each transfer accepting positions in New 
     York, Cleveland and Richmond. His final assignment from 
     General Electric, before his retirement in 1995, was as 
     Manager of U.S. Government Sales and Marketing for all 
     lighting products for government use and resale to military 
     personnel. In that role, Walter grew government sales and 
     created a division highly valued to this day. After 47 years 
     with General Electric, Walter joined Webco General 
     Partnership in 1996 as Director of Government and Industry 
     Affairs. A strong advocate for military personnel and their 
     families, he was awarded the American Logistics Association 
     Lifetime Achievement Award, The Department of the Army 
     Outstanding Civil Service medal for his service, and The 
     Exchange.
       Walter is survived by his beautiful wife of 55 years, Mary 
     Sutton Buckert and loving daughter, Laurie Grayson; son-in-
     law, Bill Grayson; and granddaughters Katherine, Elizabeth, 
     and Caroline Grayson who fondly referred to their grandfather 
     by his childhood nickname, Buddy. He is also survived by his 
     older sister, Joanne McDermott, and too many nieces and 
     nephews on both sides of the family to count but to whom he 
     held much love and respect.
       Walter will be remembered for his loyalty, hard work, and 
     dedication to others. He was a true blooded, American patriot 
     who never took his freedom for granted. He was a humble, 
     stoic man, with strong convictions and beliefs, but 
     underneath it all was a childlike spirit. Walter was a loving 
     and devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and 
     friend, he will forever be missed.

                          ____________________