Tom Walraven

Hi Wiredawgs,

It is with a saddened heart that I am letting you know that Tom Walraven has passed away. Tom was an old Wire Dawg from the GEEIA days and worked in Workload Control for many years at the 938th EIS (former 1849th EIG) at McClellan AFB before the unit de-activated in 2000. I don't have any details of what happened, but will relay them if I get them. Please remember him and his family in your prayers.

Take Care,
Tony Avitua

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Lee replies from Pa on Wednesday, December 3, 2003 at 1931L
Tony,
I read with interest your obit on Tom Walraven. Being an old Geeia dawg myself, I was wondering if you knew what Geeia outfits he was with. I was with a few myself and may have known him back then. It's true that the old Geeia dawgs aren't getting any younger. Thanks!
Lee

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Volpi replies from Tyndall on Friday, December 5, 2003 at 1612L
Sorry to hear about Tom. I was out there during his tneure in work load. Old DAWG's never realy die, they have just moned on.

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Bob Souders replies from Mesa, Az on Thursday, December 18, 2003 at 2151L

Tony,
I'm very sorry to hear about Tom. As you know Tom along with you and a few other Senior staff made my last year at the 938th a lot nicer than it could have been. I'll keep Tom's family in my prays.
Hope life is going well for you and yours.

Bob

Tom went on and left a lot of "new" troops alone. I morn his passing more than I do members of my own family. He was (with a few select others) my father, my mentor, one of the few people in this world I looked up to. The word of his passing left me feeling there is no right or wrong in this world only the things that your elders teach you. Tom taught me well. I wish I would have listened better.

God bless you Tom and thank you from a EI kid

Hutch

Chief Avitua,

Thank you for the information concerning Tom Walraven, I too am touched knowing that we have lost a brother. I had leaned on Tom as a brother and mentor. I know that many of us are set back by this loss of a brother. George Arhelger

Chief Tony A

Hi I'm sorry to hear about Tom a great teacher and father figure for me. I was just out of tech school 1970, first assignment 1830EI Cape Kennedy AFS (Patrick). My supervisor TSgt Tom Walraven, I got my CDC 5-level done very quick! With Chief Rowe and SMS Pappy Hughes as head hunchos! Tom taught me alot about cable and workload. I worked with him on Apollo cable at Cape! I went to Tachikawa AB Japan, guess who is there,Tom! Cable Section with Chief Wysocki! Until I left CCK Taichung, Taiwan '79, to 1849EIS, I was TDY to McChord, meet (TSgt Tony Avitua) then I was transferred to Workload Control, there Mr Walraven cross our path again!
He is surely great person, very quiet and just smile! May he rest in peace and condolence to his family.

Tony Casuga Jr