Walter Theodore Winkler

It is with great sorrow that we announce that Walter Theodore Winkler, 91 of Mt. Pleasant, SC, passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by family, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

Born on March 31, 1934, in New York City, Walter dedicated his life to caring for his family, dogs, gardens, and profession. He was devoted to his wife of 51 years, Kim.

After completing his Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering at New York University, he joined the Air Force. While there, he completed his Graduate degree and began a 13-year journey to multiple places around the world including Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, Oklahoma, France, India and Texas.  Walter completed his service with a two-year assignment in Vietnam during the war and then separated from the U.S. Air Force with the rank of Captain.  Following his military duty, he began a career in commercial aviation starting with Pan Am and followed by US Air. Both airlines offered him an opportunity to continue his travels. He lived in Kinshasa, Zaire; Amman, Jordan; Queens, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; Hendersonville, NC; and finally spent his last decade in Mount Pleasant, SC. In addition to travel, Walter enjoyed time with his pets, gardening, hiking, swimming and participating in marathons in cities across the U.S. and across the globe.

Walter is preceded in death by his wife, Kim; his parents, Emma and Theodore; his brother, Ernest; his nephew, Christopher; and his stepson, Nghia.

His legacy includes his three children along with their spouses: Karen Brusati (Louis), Tracy Dykeman (Darren), and Karl Winkler (Angel). He was blessed with six grandchildren: Allison, Natalie, Sarabeth, Lucas, James, and Emma, as well as one great-grandson, Finn.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464. A private burial is scheduled at Beaufort National Cemetery at a later date.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 1520 Rifle Range Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, 843-884-3833