STERLING WALKER
COCOA BEACH
Died: Feb 13, 2005

STERLING WALKER
COCOA BEACH
Sterling W. Walker, 62, of Cocoa Beach went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 13th, 2005. Born September 13, 1942 in Hopewell, Virginia and raised in Charleston, S.C., Mr. Walker graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He joined NASA at Kennedy Space Ccenter after three years as a Nuclear Power Engineer with the Navy Nuclear Program at Charleston Naval Shipyard. He retired from NASA in 2000. At the time of retirement, he was Director of Engineering Devel opment and KSC Chief Engi neer. Sterling received numerous NASA and KSC awards including the NASA Exceptional Service Award in 1988 and was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 1991. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Patricia Newcome Walker; daughter, Angela; son- in-law, Doug; granddaughter, Payton; grandson, A.J. Norman of Geneva, Florida; son, Sterling Walker Jr. of Cocoa Beach; sis ter, Sandra Rund of Westin, Florida; and brother, Bill Walker of Walterboro, S.C. Sterling was dearly loved by his family, many relatives, numerous friends and will be greatly missed by all. Visitation will be held at Beck man Williamson Funeral Home in Cocoa Beach on Wednesday, February 16th, between 6 and 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Riverside Presbyterian Church in Cocoa Beach on Thursday, February 17th, at 3 p.m. Internment will be at Live Oak Memorial Gardens in Charleston, S.C. on Saturday, February 19th, at 1 p.m. The family would like to thank Dr. Castro and staff at Cape Canaveral Hospital and Brevard Hospice for their outstanding care. Donations can be made to the Reconstruction Fund of First Baptist Church of Cocoa Beach, 830 So. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. Please sign the guest book at: www.beckmanwilliam son.com

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A comment from a Sailing Friend:


I am retired from KSC and knew Sterling in two modes - Engineer and
Sailor. He and I shared a love for both Space and the epitome of sailing:
The Westsail 32 - A world cruiser that he and I both owned (westsail32.com)
and aboard which we were berthmates in Merritt Island. When my wife and I,
who planned to circumnavigate, were discouraged and unsure of our ability
to sail off-shore, Sterling inspired us with his single-handed sailing and
always offering a helping hand and guidance. I am proud to add his Memorial
to my "www.goflight.org" KSC Memorials and will be happy to add any pictures
or thoughts there, as well.. 

Sail on, Sterling - with gentle winds and following seas. We will meet
again on a sunlit shore, old friend.

In closing: "For the truth is that I already know as much about my fate
as I need to know. The day will come when I will die. So the only matter
of consequence before me is what I will do with my allotted time. I can
remain on shore, paralyzed with fear, or I can raise my sails and dip 
and soar in the breeze. "
- Richard Bode, 'First you have to row a little boat' 

Tom and Elaine McKeever, W32 SYRINX

Webmaster of "goflight.org"