Walter E. French, Ph.D.
Born 7 August 1937 in Hagerman, Idaho. Third
of four children of Walter L and Minnie L (Glauner) French. Walter
is the only son.
Father worked as a heavy construction
carpenter. The family traveled extensively across the Pacific
Northwest during Walter’s early years.
Relocated back to Hagerman, Idaho in 1947.
Walter’s family took up farming that year and remained on the farm
until Walter was 18 years old.
Joined the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints in 1950. Ordained to the office of Teacher in
1951.
Graduated from Hagerman High school in May of
1955.
Walter moved to Seattle, Washington where he
was employed at Boeing Aircraft Corp. until April, 1956. Joined the
USAF on the 6th of that month.
Was assigned to the USAF Weather school at
Chanute AFB, Illinois. Graduated from Weather Observer training in
October 1956. Placement in the top quarter of his class earned
Walter an assignment to McChord AFB, Washington. Served at McChord
AFB until October 1958.
Reassigned to Naha AB, Okinawa. In late 1958.
Served there until November 1962. Married Misae Gibo.
Reassigned to the Global Weather Center at
Offutt AFB, Nebraska in November. Stationed there until November of
1963. Was reassigned to Naha AB, Okinawa that month. Served at
Naha AB, Okinawa until1967.
Reassigned to Chanute AFB, Illinois in late
1967. Served there as a Weather Observer instructor until 1970.
While there, attended the Academic Instructor course at The Air
University graduating 7th in a class of over 200.
While at Chanute AFB, Walter served as Pastor
of the Danville, Illinois mission for almost three years.
Reassigned to Kadena AB, Okinawa in 1970:
·
Served as NCOIC of Kadena AB Weather station until
December 1972,
·
On-the-job Training Administrator,
·
NCOIC of Unit training.
Reassigned to Kelly AFB, Texas in 1972. Served
as the Air Force advisor to the 182d Weather Flight of the Texas Air
National Guard. Kelly AFB, Texas until retirement in April 1976.
AWARDS:
·
Good Conduct medal with three oak leaf clusters,
·
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf
clusters,
·
Air Force Longevity Award with four oak leaf clusters,
·
Air Force Commendation Medal.
Received the Bachelor of Arts degree from Our
Lady of The Lake University of San Antonio, Texas in August 1976 as
the culmination of many years of part-time study. Walter majored in
psychology and minored in sociology. The faculty at OLLU selected
Walter for inclusion in Who’s Who Among Students in American
Universities and Colleges in 1975.
Moved to Bremerton, Washington in 1977. Lived
in the Seattle area until 1981. Manager of a fast food restaurant
for nearly a year. Purchased own restaurant in Renton mall in early
1980.
Sold the restaurant and moved to Warrensburg,
Missouri to attend CMSU in 1981. Attended graduate study of both
sociology and psychology until 1985.
Moved to Denton Texas to attend Graduate school
at The Texas Woman’s University in 1985. Graduated from TWU in 1993
with the Ph.D. in Sociology. Worked as a teaching fellow from 1986
until near my graduation. Selected for membership in Alpha Kappa
Delta (sociology honor society) serving as President of Delta
chapter of Texas.
Returned to Independence to work on the staff
of The Independence Plan for Neighborhood Councils. Worked For IPNC
until the Spring of 1995.
Served on the Independence Human Relations
Commission from 1995 – 2001. Chaired the Commission during 2000 and
2001.
Worked part-time as a Professor of sociology
and psychology at Park and DeVry Universities through 2000.
Invited to membership in Who’s Who Among
Educators in America in 2001.
Married to Diana Daub French since February
2000. Walter and Diana claim eleven children, fifteen grandchildren
and six great-grandchildren. The seventh great-grandchild is due in
September.
