Our beloved husband and father, Wallace (Wally) Irving Honeywell, passed away peacefully on April 30th, 2024, due to complications from a fall. Wally is survived by Winnie, his wife of 65 years; their sons Mark (Eileen) Summit, Kevin (Susan Diamond) Honeywell, Doug (Cathy) Honeywell, and Robert (Moira Stone) Honeywell; granddaughters Bridget Summit, Emily Honeywell, Becky Summit, Claire (Evan) Castillo, Libby Buck, and Abby (Phil) Buck Tarrazas; brother Jim Honeywell (Ann), nephews Jay, Tyler, and their families; and Winnie’s sister Susie Walford and her children, Cathy, Dan, Sarrah, and their families. Wally was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Darlene Honeywell, Winnie’s brother Timothy Tarr, and Susie’s husband Jim Walford.
Wally was born in North Platte, Nebraska, on February 6, 1936. His family moved to California when he was in high school. Wally was an athlete and excelled academically; this allowed him to attend Stanford University with a generous scholarship. There, Wally met fellow Stanford student Winnie Tarr. They were both a part of the first Stanford-in-Germany class in 1958, and not long after returning home, Wally and Winnie married on March 7, 1959.
Over the next several years, Wally completed his Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Cal Tech, and he and Winnie had three sons, Mark, Kevin and Doug. Wally received a post-doc fellowship in the Netherlands, and while the family was living in Holland, their youngest son Robert was born.
Now a family of six, Wally, Winnie and their sons returned to the US, when Wally accepted a job as an engineering professor at the University of Houston. He later became the Director ofAcademic Advising. After 20 years at U of H, Wally switched careers and went to work with Winnie in the Family Life Office for the Catholic Diocese of Galveston-Houston. Later, he drew on his gifts as an early adopter of technology to develop a computer consulting company. In retirement, Wally was a stalwart and integral organizer in his neighborhood association, sang baritone with a choir, and became an enthusiastic student of drawing and painting.
Wally was a devoted father and grandfather. He participated in events big and small, showing us with his presence how much he loved us. He was a wonderful babysitter for his granddaughters, leaving them with lasting memories of their special times with him. He encouraged each of us to follow our passions and dreams, and his success as a parent is reflected in the rich, varied, and community-minded lives of his children and grandchildren.
Wally’s love for family extended to the greater Catholic community. He and Winnie provided outreach and support to countless couples and families over the years, through Marriage Encounter workshops and parish marriage preparation. He and Winnie also welcomed numerous people into their home throughout the years, providing housing, care, and support to folks when they most needed it.
What we will remember most about Wally was his calm, witty, and loving presence. We will miss him deeply, and eat ice cream in his honor!
