Yale University

 

In Memoriam

Walter Alexander Hunt Jr. 


Walter Hunt

Walter Hunt
1963 graduation

Walter Alexander Hunt, Jr. FAIA, a design industry veteran who helped shape a global reputation for Gensler and served as president of the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) New York chapter, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 27, 2016. He was 74 years old.

 Walter is survived by his beloved wife, Judith Tansey Hunt; sons David Alexander Hunt and Christopher William Hunt of Denver, CO, and Stephen Austin Hunt of Basking Ridge, NJ; daughters in-law Erin Crowley Hunt, Sarah Anschutz Hunt, and Mary Matthews Hunt; grandchildren William, Madeleine, Eleanor, Taylor, Caroline, Ryan, Hannah, and Alexander; sister Bonnie M. Hunt of Holderness, NH.

 Originally from Summit, NJ, Walter attended The Pingry School Class of 1959.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University in 1963, followed by a Masters of Architecture degree from Yale in 1967.  Upon completion of his studies at Yale, Walter moved his family to San Francisco and commenced a 38-year career at Gensler. In 1978 he relocated to Denver to lead that office, followed by a move in 1985 to co-lead the New York office. His career included projects worldwide. He served on the Board of Directors and became the Northeast Managing Director and Vice-Chair of the firm, retiring from the firm as Vice-Chairman Emeritus in 2012.

Hunt spent more than four decades in the design industry, serving on the Board of Directors of the AIA’s New York Chapter from 1997-1998 and as the President in 1999. He went on to serve on AIA’s New York State Board from 2000-2001. In 2001, Hunt joined the Board of Directors of the New York Foundation for Architecture and was elected President of the Board of Directors in 2004. He was an active fundraiser for Yale’s School of Architecture since 1978, serving on the Board of Directors of the Yale Alumni Fund since 1992 and receiving the President’s Award from Yale Alumni Fund in 2004 for his service to the School of Architecture. Hunt served on the Board of Downtown Denver, Inc. from 1980–1984 and was the President of the Metropolitan Denver Arts Alliance from 1982–1984.

 Hunt was elevated to Fellow in the American Institute of Architects in 2005 and received both the President’s Award and Harry B. Rutkins Award from the Center for Architecture/AIA – New York Chapter in 2006. He received the James Kubeny Distinguished Service award by AIA New York State in 2012.  Also in 2012, the Center for Architecture Foundation established the Walter A. Hunt Jr. Scholarship Fund in honor of his efforts. The fund promotes and encourages the study of architecture for New York City public high school seniors accepted to a New York State NAAB accredited School of Architecture.

 After retirement, Hunt founded ONE@@TIME Project Consulting, which provided pro bono consulting services exclusively for not-for-profit organizations. Walter had a real love for travel, food, and wine.

 A Memorial Celebration will be held at the New York Athletic Club, 180 Central Park South, on June 28th, 4:30 – 7:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor are suggested to the Center for Architecture – Walter A. Hunt Scholarship Fund, 536 LaGuardia Place, New York, NY 10012; or to the Judith and Walter Hunt Fund in Architecture, Yale University, to support faculty and student travel related to courses at the Yale School of Architecture.

 
 Remembrances:

from Rees Jones:

Walt Hunt was a great roommate, a loyal friend and a wonderful person to be around. He was the real deal. I think this explains how he thrived in his field of architecture and how dedicated he was to his family, who truly loved and admired him. He had a good life.  He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.  
 

 

from Dave Hilyard:

Walter and I were born and grew up in the same town and then roomed together for four years at Yale. I  have never known anyone more patient and tolerant and less judgmental of others.  What we all saw was an altogether cheerful, altogether friendly guy who had a great sense of humor and who enjoyed making up words that he could use in conversation as a kind of exclamation point. His favorite was " Egatz!!! ". He enjoyed the sound it made, and he used it to signify great emotion.

As easy as he was on others, Walter was ruthless with himself. He set very high goals, worked tirelessly, and was a great worrier. This was unfortunate because he did extraordinarily well, gaining admission to the Yale School of Architecture at the end of his junior year, and going on to be the managing partner of a top New York architecture firm. The most important person in his life was his wife " Judy. " Judy was younger and a lot shorter, but she took Walter on and never let go. She was always there for him, his helpmate and his biggest fan.