Walter Dodd Proffitt

Walter D. Proffitt 11/26/1939 NY - 6/4/2012 CA'''You'?re a Good Man, Walt Proffitt''? sung to the tune of '''You'?re a Good Man, Charlie Brown''? summarizes Walt'?s life. He was loved by many for his kindness, gentle nature, thoughtful, effective negotiator, sense of humor expressed with a genuine smile and twinkle in his eye, meeting life'?s challenges with grace and a gratitude and love for being alive. Walt was born to Walter D. Proffitt, Sr. and Lenora Mae Reandeau Proffitt near Grandview on the Hudson, New York. He followed his older sister and brother into school in fall of 1944 only to leave at Thanksgiving to begin his family'?s road trip to Florida, across the south to Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona before moving on to San Diego, CA in late 1951. In May 1952 he encountered polio and met his first major physical challenge. In 1987 he was diagnosed with post polio syndrome. He continued to live his life to the fullest of his abilities. Walt graduated from Chula Vista High School in1958, San Diego State in1962 (BS in public administration) and Western State University College of Law in 1975( Juris doctor) and passed CA State Bar in1975. During his 32 years as a dedicated social work supervisor for San Diego, his colleagues, client?le and community applauded his outstanding work. He was recognized by many for his volunteer service in many CA professional and community organizations.Walt met Dalynn Thomson at a CA Social Worker Organization conference at Asilomar, CA in January 1970. They married in San Mateo County Memorial redwood Park 8 months later and so began their 42 year San Diego alliance. They welcomed their son, Eric, into their lives in 1985. Walt'?s love of fatherhood bloomed as it evolved. Walt'?s friends and family enjoyed sharing his varied interests and talents in his enjoyment of various musical genres, singing, bridge, poker, chess, international match book collecting, fishing, organic gardening, gourmet cooking, traveling in North America and Europe, involving verbavore , tracking his favorite sports - football, baseball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, golf and staying current with major technical, scientific and social changes. After retirement a genealogical search revealed his extended family with many living cousins and historical roots in newly discovered ancestors. All who were part of Walt'?s life loved his wit and humor and philosophical perspective on life.Walt was predeceased by his parents. He was survived by his wife Dalynn T. Proffitt, son Eric S. Proffitt, sister Lila Mae Bourland and brother John D. Proffitt and twenty-one others, a stepmother-in-law, sisters and brothers-in-law, nephews and nieces and great nephews and nieces. A celebration of his life was held 8/4/2012 in CA.