DAVID Walden, born May 2 1930, died on Thursday February 14 2019 aged 88, surrounded by his family.
Born in 13 Hill Street, Rugby, David was one of six brothers and four sisters born to Thomas Edward Walden and Annie Geraldine Berry, and the last surviving sibling.
David left school at the age of 14 to work at the Railway Station as a porter, before being transferred to the world’s largest Signals Office at the time, where he learnt Morse Code. From there, David went to work for the British Thomson Houston Company (BTH) as an apprentice for seven years. This is where he first became interested in electric motors and turbines, which would go on to shape his life.
Following his apprenticeship, David was called up for two year’s national service with the RAF, where he travelled the country repairing electric motors thanks to his training. It was during this time that David began courting his future wife, Joan Massiter. Joan and David married on September 6 1952.
Following his national service, David returned to BTH, where he was nominated for a Craft Fellowship, which he won out of 5,000 other apprentices across the UK. This meant David moved to Belfort, France for one year. On his return to Rugby, David was made a foreman of BTH.
David and Joan then had two children, Stuart Walden (b. 1959) and Neale Walden (b. 1962). During their early years, the family moved to Bexleyheath, Leytonstone and Wolverhampton, before settling in Arkley, Barnet, London. It was here that David founded D.W Rewinds in 1971.
David built up his company over a number of years before selling it in 1981 to the Deritend Group, of which he was Managing Director of the Southern and Northern Division, and becoming Deputy Chairman of the Triplex Group.
During this time, David was President of the European & World Chapter of the Electro Mechanical Authority, staying on as Secretary following his retirement in 1990.
In 1997, David and Joan moved to Abbots Langley. David fully retired in 1999. In 2000, Joan Walden passed away from cancer.
On May 19 2001, David married Jean Walkden. In 2002, David and Jean moved to Bury St Edmunds, where they spent 17 happy years.
Left to fondly remember David are his wife, Jean, his two children, Stuart and Neale, his daughters-in-law, Gill and Amanda, and his three grandchildren, Nicola, Stephanie and Chloe, as well as everyone who’s lives he influenced over his 88 years.
David’s funeral will be held on March 13 at West Suffolk Crematorium, Risby, Bury St Edmunds at 3pm. The family will also greet friends and family at the Meadow Café at the crematorium.
The family would like to extend their thanks to all of the nurses who helped care for David daily over the last two-and-a-half years, and to everyone who has paid their respects over this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David’s name to Macmillan Cancer Support. Donations will be taken at the funeral, at the wake and through an online giving page on L Fulcher Funeral Directors.
