Walter Ralph Cummings

July 02, 1918 - November 03, 2017

Walter Ralph Cummings Obituary (Age 99) Walter Ralph Cummings was born in Spokane on July 2, 1918 and passed away at the Hospice House North on November 3, 2017. He was 99 years old. Wally was the eldest son born to Ralph and Bertha Cummings. He grew up in the Minnehaha area in northeast Spokane and graduated from Rogers High School in 1938. Wally joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 during WWII, and served for four years with the 414th Signal Corps, a military unit that originated in Spokane. He honorably served his country while stationed in Europe and Africa. Following discharge from the service, he returned to Spokane where he met Ruth Young at the local roller skating rink. They married on May 4, 1947 and built their home across the street from the house where Wally grew up. Wally worked for several years as a TV and appliance repairman. He was very talented at fixing things...if you could break it, he could fix it. Later, he went to work for the City of Spokane and worked for 20 years as the lead maintenance mechanic for the Waste Water Treatment Plant, retiring in 1980. Wally is survived by his wife of 70 years, Ruth Cummings; and his children Linda Hall, Dennis Cummings (Laura), Nancy Budzier (Alan), and Richard Cummings (Debbie) as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Ralph and Bertha, and by his two brothers, LaVerne and Eugene (Genie). He was much loved and respected by his family and friends and will be greatly missed. A graveside memorial service for Wally will be held at the Greenwood Memorial Terrace Cemetery, 211 N. Government Way, Spokane, on Monday, November 13, 2017, at 11:00 am, followed by a reception at the Heritage Funeral Home, 508 N. Government Way, Spokane. The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Kindred Hospice and the Hospice House for the loving care they provided to Dad in his final days. In lieu of flowers, we ask that contributions in his memory be made to the Hospice House of Spokane, or to a local charity.