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Puget Sound, WA

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IN MEMORIUM
LT Walter W. Babic, USN (RET)

From: Chuck White
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2005
To: Webmaster@NavalWeather.org

Passed away November 4, 2005, after a brief battle with Cancer

Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 11/13/2005.

BABIC, WALTER W. ANOTHER WW II VET PASSES LT WALTER W. BABIC (USN RET) LT Walter W. Babic (USN Ret), passed away on November 4, 2005, after a brief battle with cancer. Born May 1, 1920 in Chester, PA, his family migrated to the west coast, where he was raised in Aberdeen and Montesano, WA. He had a deep love for sports, and developed an exceptional gift for football. He mastered the gridiron by playing both offense and defense in the same game for both his high school and street teams. After graduating from high school in 1937, he spent time frolicking at the University of Texas before enlisting as a Sailor in the USN in 1939. His first major assignment was with his best friend, George, aboard the USS CALIFORNIA in Pearl Harbor, HI. It was there he changed his rate from Yeoman to Aerographer's Mate (Weather Observer). He eventually spent much of WW II serving in the Aleutian Islands as a proud member of Bombing Squadron ONE THIRTY FIVE. His was the only returning PV-1 Ventura patrol bomber out five that took off on March 25, 1944 on a reconnaissance and bombing mission called the "Empire Express" over Japanese bases on the northern Kuril Islands. The best day of his life occurred on August 7, 1943 when he married the former Eileen Mannion. They eventually made their permanent home in Chula Vista, CA in 1948. In 1951, Walter was commissioned a Chief Warrant Officer, and in 1961 he was selected for the rank of Lieutenant. He served at Fleet Weather Facilities both overseas and in the States, building a fine reputation as a Navy Weatherman. Of particular note, he was recognized by the country of Japan for his innovative weather buoy designs. His favorite tour of duty was aboard the USS PINE ISLAND, where he was especially proud of qualifying as Command Duty Officer (Underway). He retired off the ship on June 30, 1967. Walter sold real estate for a number of years before entering college. Enrolling on academic probation (thanks to his earlier record at the University of Texas), he graduated with honors from San Diego State University in 1979. He taught at Southwestern and continued in real estate until retiring full time in the early 1980s. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, taking long walks with Eileen, and eating good food. He never met a person he didn't like, never heard a joke that failed to make him laugh, and never faced a math problem he couldn't solve. His only grandson, Paul, was his favorite grandson. Of his three granddaughters, he loved the oldest, Beth, the middle, Bridget, and the youngest, Susan, the very best. He is also survived by his two sons, William and Peter; three daughters, Mary Anne, Barbara and Catherine, and three great-grandchildren, Ryan, Ben and Chloe. His children would like the world to hear - "We thank you for your bravery. We thank you for our lives. Rest in peace with Mom." A Memorial Mass will be held in the St. Rose of Lima Convent Chapel on Monday, November 21, 2005 at 10:00 a.m.

Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com 

Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 11/13/2005.