Walt, 69, died Sunday, June 16, 2013, in Great Falls, Montana, as the result of hemochromatosis. He jumped 26 seasons, finishing at the age of 61 with 260th fire jumps. Most remarkable was the fact Walt had never suffered a jump injury until his final day on the job on a practice jump.

He earned degrees in Education and History from the University of Montana; he coached football and wrestling in addition to teaching while in Oregon and Montana. Walt also served as head coach at Montana State University-Northern as that school revived its football program.

Walt jumped at Missoula during the 1975-81 and 1983-86 seasons, and at Grangeville during 1987-2003.