Walter Vient

Walter G. Vient was born on April 25, 1939, in the Boston suburb of Quincy, Massachusetts and went to meet his Lord on May 20, 2023. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carolyn Sue Lon Vient, his two children and their spouses, Romney & Paul Short, Brandon & Julie Vient, and his 4 grandchildren, Daniel Short, Adam Short, Avery Vient, and Isla Vient, to which he was affectionately known as “Poppa.”

Walt grew up the youngest of 2 boys in a family of 13 children. Throughout the years, he maintained contact with his large family, making an intentional effort to keep up with their lives and visit them at annual family reunions. He retained parts of his Bostonian accent which occasionally slipped out; he especially liked to joke about “pahking the cah.”

He attended college at Northeastern University, on a hockey scholarship, where he received a degree in Electrical Engineering. His enthusiasm for the sport of hockey never waned. He taught his children how to skate when they were young, he and his son scheduled their lives around being able to watch Washington Capitals games together, and he took his grandchildren to watch the Capitals practice in person.

Following college, Walt entered the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant during the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis, but it was WWII that held Walt’s military fascination more. He would deep dive into WWII movies, books, and museum exhibits. In fact, he never stumbled upon a museum sign he didn’t want to read in full, much to the chagrin of his impatient children. After completing his military service, he began working in marketing for the defense industry. With his legendary gift for gab, he enjoyed a long and successful career.

While stationed in Hawaii, he met and fell in love with his Mon Cherie, the love of his life, Sue. She was his most cherished friend and partner in life. Not long after getting married, his children Romney and Brandon were born. When they were young, he made up bedtime stories that were so compelling, they would beg him to continue. His talent for spinning a fantastical tale instilled a lifetime love of reading and writing in his daughter. Walt also started learning guitar and from that moment on the house was filled with music. He joined friends to form a music group, the Guitar Guys, that spent hours jamming together. He had a particular fondness for folk songs, old county hymns, and blue grass. His playing led to his son discovering his own passion for the guitar as well, and the two led family sing-alongs on holidays.

While the family has mostly lived in Virginia, they briefly lived in Michigan for a few years. Just before moving back, Walt came to the Lord, an encounter which dramatically changed his life. He attended a local church where his faith blossomed. Walt could often be seen reading his Bible and praying in the beautiful garden he created in his backyard. He was passionate about sharing the Gospel with others. No one was ever a stranger to Walt; everyone new was someone to share his story with. For many years he served as Missions Chairman, hosting international missionaries in his home. Later he faithfully served other outreach-focused ministries, like Evangelism Explosion. Throughout his Christian walk, he attended and led many Bible studies, his last group being one that has stuck together for many years, the participants as dear to him as his own family.

Walt joined his Lord just before the whole family was to return to Ocean City, Maryland, where they have vacationed together for over 40 years. Many of the family’s most treasured memories are from their adventures at the beach: building sand sculptures, competing in putt-putt, playing card games, eating ice cream, and strolling the boardwalk. His presence will be missed but not forgotten. He delighted in walking the long stretch of shore, which always reminded him of the poem, “Footprints in the Sand.”

One night I dreamed a dream.

As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,

One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,

especially at the very lowest and saddest times,

there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.

“Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,

You’d walk with me all the way.

But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,

there was only one set of footprints.

I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”

He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you,

Never, ever, during your trials and testings.

When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you.”

The Lord carried Walt home on May 20, 2023, and we know he was welcomed with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”