Wednesday, May 17, 2023
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Dearest Gaye and Family,
I was deeply saddened when I heard the news that Walt departed so suddenly. He is the one I need to thank for introducing Malaysia into my world. It was not on my radar but Mont’Kiara International School became nine amazing years of my life.
My first memory of Walt was at the intense job fair in Cambridge, Massachusetts during a snow storm. So many interviews with so many schools with so many questions and notes to sift through, coupled with the miserable weather outside, left my head spinning. By the tenth school I think I literally went blank in the middle of an interview—I did not share this anecdote with Walt!
But Walt made the first meeting relaxed and enjoyable. That was his style. Then at the second meeting is when he asks the hard pedagogical questions. Then after hiring us, he invited us to a “welcome aboard” breakfast. I suppose breaking bread together is meant to break the ice after all the “serious stuff” but all I could think of was, “Oh my gosh, now I must dress up again and eat my muffin professionally with a knife and fork!”
Upon arriving to Malaysia, Walt personally picked us up from the airport and he and Gaye took us to dinner at their favorite place--a humble little outdoor restaurant in Desa Sri Hartamas. (this place sadly no longer exists. It became Naughty Nuri's for a while) Other directors of school do not do this; it’s below their pay grade. But Walt did this because he genuinely enjoyed his role and genuinely cared about his teachers. His effort made for such a warm welcome to a new country, new climate, new school. This time, perhaps due to the warm Malaysian weather, I was not as nervous eating in front of my new boss…
Finally, my last memory was when we had some unpleasant personal news to share with him. We made an appointment to meet in his office. Again, Walt was warm, compassionate and professional. Moreover, he was able to empathize and acknowledge how difficult a decision it was for us. I can’t express how much I appreciated him for his sensitivity.
I have the utmost respect for Walt. I enjoyed reading the family’s beautiful memories in his obituary. He was such an outstanding leader to the teachers in our school, I can only imagine how amazing he was as a husband, father, grandfather to his family.
Gaye, I send you my deepest condolences. You are all in my prayers.
Walt, you are missed by everyone. But I feel comforted knowing that heaven has gained an angel.
With warmest regards,
Maria Leung
