Walter Sargent, Jr. was born May 22, 1937 in Juneau, Alaska to parents Jennie Heitman and Walter Sargent Sr.

In 1959, the year Alaska became a state, Walter enlisted in the US Army so he could serve his country and travel. By doing so, he became the first Alaskan Native to enlist in the U.S. Military Regular Army (RA) voluntarily and without being drafted. He also went on to become a paratrooper in the elite 101st Airborne Division—the Screaming Eagles.

Many people spoke of Walter as a man who never left an opportunity unexplored. During his enlistment in the military, he also spent time skiing in Germany, enjoying gourmet meals and fine wine in Europe, and golfing in the south of France. “Being a young, handsome, Alaskan on the Ski Patrol of a first-class European Resort was a ticket to Paradise!” And he found a way to have fun.

Upon returning to Alaska, and his beloved Kodiak Island, Walter once again reconnected to the sea. Walter grew up fishing, was a skilled navigator, and a successful fisher. He then began a lifelong passion for the challenges and rigors of commercial fishing in the waters of the Kodiak Archipelago. Walter was a phenomenal skipper and considered one of the very best. Walter’s skills and his knowledge of boats and the sea made him successful. Each of his boats were marked by good humor and strong morale. Walter knew how to treat people and treated them as if they mattered. 

Walter also understood the importance of compassion and respect, and throughout the years he became a mentor to many. He shared his insights, experiences, skills, and his poise. Walter was cool and collected regardless of treacherous currents and unexpected waves. His ability to remain in control and focused during a storm, or in cold so fierce the crab legs froze off when they were pulled aboard, was what gave his crew confidence to keep fishing. Pulling in black cod in late March when the currents are fierce, the water deep, and weather violently and unpredictable was possible because Walter Sargent was their Captain.

What made Walter successful was his ability to remain focused on his goals, maintaining a clear vision of where he wanted to go. Unlike many, Walter understood risk and understood he must invest in and have faith in himself to be successful. 

In his later years, Walter was content to take his dogs, Scotty and Lulu, for a walk each morning at Swampy Acres or any one of the wonder walking trails on Kodiak, have lunch down at the American Legion where he had been past Commander.

On May 27, 2023, just five days after his 86th birthday, Walter passed peacefully away gazing out over the ocean he loved so well.

Looking back over life, there are currents that shape a person’s journey through this existence. For Walter, his heritage as an Alutiiq/Sugpiaq Native stands out. He knew inherently the importance of sharing indigenous knowledge, practicing balance, compassion, respect, and acceptance. This pride in where he came from gave Walter a code to follow, a way to be in the present while honoring his ancestors. Walter was man who believed in himself and who believed in the decency of others.

Walter Sargent is a legend because he understood that only three things really matter in life: you take personal responsibility for all you do, both good and bad; you consistently reach out to help others, and you know that love is the center of everything.

Quyanaa (thanks) to the family of Walter Sargent, Jr. for sharing his story.