Walter Anketell:
CLASS OF 1974
North Babylon High SchoolClass of 1974
North babylon, NY
Walter's Story
Hi All,
Well after graduation in 1974 I had one big passion, to fly! I completed 2 years at SUNY Farmingdale and received my A.A.S. in Aerospace technology but more importantly confirmed my desire to fly by receiving my private pilots license. Flying was an expensive proposition and the family was definitely blue collar at the time so, I took the Air Force Officer qualifying Test (AFOQT) and aced it. Full scholarship to Manhattan college of engineering and in 1979 commissioned as an officer in the USAF with a B.S. in aeronautical Engineering. Married my wife, Judy, (Class of 1975) and off we went for the next 10 years flying fighter jets, F-4 Phantom II, to the far east, Japan , Korea and the Philippines. Thankfully survived combat and left USAF in 1989. Hired by American Airlines that year and last 30 years have flow...Expand for more
n as international Captain out of New York. Judy and I bought a house out east on Long Island and in 1998 our daughter, Andrea , was born. So, 2020, mandatory retirement for me in 10 months at age 65, beautiful daughter, 40 years with my soul mate, and still relatively healthy. Still living the fairytale life. Fat kid did okay.
Unfortunately, my wife passed away on 11 January 2021. She fought so valiantly for the last three years against multiple ailments but on that day I kissed her for the last time and she closed her eyes forever. She was N.B. class of 1975, one year behind me. I still remember the first time we met, I was in love and never looked back. We traveled the world together and I am grateful that we had a wonderful life together and in the end she passed peacefully. My angel still lives in my heart forever.
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Reunions
Register for Free to view all events!
Photos
Register for Free to view all photos!