In loving memory of Walter Rouse - Obituary Baldwin Brothers

Obituary

Walter Jackson Rouse, CMSgt USAF, Ret., 87, of Jamestown, NC and Fort Myers Beach, FL on April 27, 2020

Survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirley Haney Rouse of Jamestown, NC and Fort Myers Beach FL, daughters Jaye Rouse of Fort Myers Beach and Carol Phillips (Carl) of Jamestown, NC, his granddaughter Logan Phillips of Greensboro, NC, and sister Donna Dudley (David) of Charlotte, NC

Known to family and friends as Buster, he attended HIgh Point High School and received his GED from the Community College of the Air Force. He served 32 years in the US Air Force, including tours of duty in Korea and twice in Vietnam. During the course of his Air Force career he worked as an aircraft maintenance manager and later superintendent, and as a Recruiting Sector Supervisor, he led one of the most highly regarded sectors in the USA. He served with honor and was awarded many commendations.

After retirement from the Air Force in 1982, he worked for Carolina Aeronautical as a certified flight instructor and charter pilot. He also was a Certified Aircraft Inspector, inspecting both private aircraft for their annual airworthiness checks and was frequently called by the FAA to assist in crash analysis. He and Shirley volunteered with the Carolina Civil Air Patrol, where he quickly rose to officer status. He was awarded the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award from the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration.

He then became an instructor of Aircraft Maintenance and Powerplant, and Private Pilot groundschool at Guilford Technical Community College. He was an instrumental member of the team designing the Aviation Department’s facility at Greensboro Piedmont Triad Airport. He was awarded the National Teaching Excellence Award in 1989.

After his third retirement (!), He and Shirley enjoyed travel all over the US and Caribbean in his Piper Colt, and cruises worldwide. Always up for an adventure, he was also a certified SCUBA diver.

Memberships include:

The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Greensboro, Orient of NC, 32 degree
Master Mason, Guy T. Smith Lodge #893, Mobile Alabama
Lifetime member, Air Force Sergeants Association
Lifetime Member, Disabled American Veterans
Lifetime member, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 10097
Anciente and Secret Order of Quiet Birdmen
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memoriam may be sent to the American Heart Association

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I’ve climbed and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds –

and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of –

wheeled and soared and swung high in the sunlit silence.

Hovering there I’ve chased the shouting wind along

and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air.

“Up, up the long delirious burning blue

I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace,

where never lark, or even eagle, flew;