Walter Douglas Charles June 29, 1913 – December 28, 2008 Walter was born in Castor, Alberta, and moved to Summerland with his family in 1927. He is predeceased by his parents Hazel Walter in 1966 and Vern Charles in 1982; his grandson Iain Turner in 1988; his wife, Mary in 2004; his sister Alice in 2006 and brother Lawrence in 2008. He is survived by son Douglas (Elizabeth Thunstrom), daughters Lorna Klohn (Earle) and Ruth (Rick Gray); ten grandchildren: David Charles (Lara), Sandra Hatfield; Holly Williams (Todd); Eric Thunstrom; Kim Klohn (Diane); Doug Klohn (Al Lloyd); Jori Mitchell (Mike); Michael Klohn; Graeme and Michelle Turner; twelve great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. He graduated from UBC in 1937 with a BSc in Agriculture. He married Mary Munn in 1938, and during war was a member of the army medical corps. After the war he worked at various jobs: the Copper Mountain mine near Princeton, Summerland Box Factory, and in the family business, Walter’s Ltd Packing House. In 1958 he changed careers and moved his family to Vancouver where he worked for the Federal Government Department of Health and Welfare as a food and drug inspector. During his career he was posted to several different cities in Canada: Vancouver 1958-1963; Belleville, Ontario 1963-1965 Toronto 1965 and Edmonton 1966 where he and Mary remained until his retirement in 1978. They retired to Summerland and lived in the family home in Peach Orchard. In 2005 he moved into Angus Place. Walter was a man who had many friends, activities, and interests. He was a Cubmaster in Summerland and Edmonton; he enjoyed hunting deer and pheasant; fishing; vegetable gardening; woodworking; photography; and family holidays were generally camping trips. After retirement he took up the study of spiders, and became a keen collector, and even discovered a previously unknown species, which was named after him. He was a bit of a local celebrity, giving various talks on the subject, and known to many by the title “Spider Man”. He and Mary travelled extensively in their RV, and went on several cruises. He took part in the greeting programme at Summerland Secondary School; he joined the Ham Radio Club, which involved considerable study, including learning to send and receive Morse code. He enjoyed monitoring communications during forest fires, making himself available as a communication resource. In his 80s he learned to operate a computer and kept in touch with friends by email. He was a great reader, both of fiction and nonfiction, enjoying especially murder mysteries and western adventure.Very handy around the house, he always enjoyed making repairs and painting. He will be sorely missed. He died peacefully in his home at Angus Place on Sunday, December 28, 2008, after a gradual decline of health for about three months. The family is grateful to the Home Support workers, who looked after him and also thank his extended family at Angus Place. Support from various family members and friends is also gratefully acknowledged. A memorial service will be held at Summerland United Church, 13204 Henry Avenue, 11:00 am on Saturday, January 10, 2009 with Reverend Kent Israel officiating. Donations to the Land Conservancy of BC (www.conservancy.bc.ca or 250.492.0173) or your favourite charity in his name would be gratefully received. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Providence Funeral Homes. Condolences may be directed to the family: summerlandfuneralhome@vip.net