Walter Jan Hendrik Timmerman, 84 years old, died 19 June 2019 at Good Samaritan Hospital, San Jose, CA from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.  Walter was born in Antwerp , Belgium on 25 March 1935, one of four siblings, which included; the late Elisabeth Elodia Theresia (Betty) (died 1990), Jan Maria Achiel, and Maria Elisabeth Irma (Ria).   He was husband of the late Josette (Edithe) Dassas Timmerman (died 11 October 2001) also originally from Belgium and father of the late Marc A. Timmerman (died October 27, 2009). Walter emigrated to the United States in the early 1970s and resided in Saratoga, California for many years.

Walter's early years living during World War II in German-occupied Belgium were not easy  for him and his family and he had vivid memories of the war and its impact.

Despite a  difficult financial  situation after the war, Walter's parents sacrificed much to give the best education they could  to the children. It was through these war experiences and post-war hardships that Walter learned to work hard and count only on  himself in his future life.

Walter had a life-long passion for learning.  He persevered and managed to achieve an impressive educational resume and series of academic degrees.  In 1953, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Scientific Humanities from the Royal Atheneum, Koekelberg, Belgium.  In 1956, he graduated with a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Special School for Technical Engineering, Brussels, Belgium.  In 1957, he graduated with a Master of Science degree in Electro-Mechanical Nuclear Engineering from the State Higher Institute of Technology for the Nuclear Industry in Brussels, Belgium.  Finally, in 1973, after emigrating to the United States, he earned a Masters in Business Administration, with a concentration in International Business, from San Francisco State University.  While still in Belgium, Walter served as a reserve officer in the Belgian Army, graduating from the Military School for Reserve Officers with a concentration on weapons and logistics.

Walter's professional career focused on Nuclear Engineering – he was to become a world-renown expert and sought-after consultant in advanced nuclear energy technologies.  He started his work life as a Manager/Staff Engineer at the Belgian Offices of the European Energy Industries, where he was responsible for the development of instrumentation for scientific and medical laboratories, radiation monitoring, and nuclear reactor control for government and private industry customers in the United States, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, and other European countries.

From 1963 to 1968, Walter worked  as a Technical Assistance Expert for Nuclear Instrument and Control Systems at the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), based in Vienna.  In this role he provided technology guidance and technology transfer oversight to global government entities who were developing their nuclear energy programs, with significant experience in South Korea and many Latin American countries.

Throughout his career, Walter held senior technical and management positions at Gulf General Atomics, San Diego, California (the Nuclear division of General Dynamics), Burns & Roe (Nuclear Power construction engineering company) in Oradell, New Jersey, General Electric Company (US Nuclear Control & Instrumentation Programs) Gibbs & Hill (now Raytheon), and Nutech International, where he was the Director of Advanced Technology for control and instrumentation for nuclear projects globally.  Walter continued to be in high demand working as a technical consultant on advanced technology projects for governments and private firms around the globe, related to state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation and computer technology.

Walter was fluent in Flemish/Dutch , English, French  and Spanish, with a good working knowledge of German. He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the American Nuclear Society (ANS) and the Instrument Society of America (ISA) and holder of several US Patents.

Walter had many interests including swimming, sailing, reading, music and films.  He was a kind and gentle soul to those who knew him.

He is survived by his sister, Ria Paolo Timmerman of Amilly, France and his brother, Jan Timmerman of Brussels, Belgium.

A private grave site service is planned for March at Madronia Cemetery in Saratoga where Walter will be placed to rest with his beloved wife Edithe and their son Marc.  Any donations can be made to the Salvation Army and condolences sent to Alameda Family Mortuary in Saratoga.