WALTER EARNEST VANDERPOOL

Walter Ernest Vanderpool passed away suddenly at his home in Las Vegas on February 23, 2026. Walt was born June 20,1945, in Midland County, MI, the son of Leo and Ferna (Brugger) Vanderpool. He graduated from Coleman (Michigan) High School, attended Delta College a year and then worked for Dow Chemical, in Midland as a chemist until he was drafted during the Vietnam war. He was assigned to the 128th Medical Detachment at Dalat, Vietnam. Upon discharge, he returned to Dow Chemical in Midland. However, his interest in downhill skiing prompted him and his wife, Diane (Gibbons - deceased) to move from Michigan to Silverton, Colorado, where he worked as a heavy equipment operator and a Level Two certified ski instructor at Copper Mountain, CO. He resumed his education at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, where he earned a degree in civil engineering. He worked in Colorado for several years before eventually moving to Las Vegas, NV, where he established himself as a foundations expert, familiar with the unique geology of Las Vegas. He enjoyed an international reputation as a foundations expert and shared his knowledge at professional conferences. Kleinfelder engineering consultants. of Las Vegas, remembered the following about Walt: "Walter Vanderpool dedicated over a decade of his professional career to Kleinfelder, serving from May 30, 1990, to October 11, 2002, as a registered Nevada Professional Engineer and Project Manager. During his tenure, Walter contributed to the successful delivery of hundreds of projects, demonstrating an exceptional work ethic, technical expertise, and commitment to quality that left a lasting mark on the organization and the communities he served. Walter played a key role in several iconic Southern Nevada projects while at Kleinfelder, including the Wynn Las Vegas, improvements at Harry Reid International Airport (formerly McCarran International Airport), the Eastern Avenue widening at the 215 Beltway, and the Lone Mountain Detention Basin, among many others. His work helped shape critical infrastructure and landmark developments that continue to serve the region today. Known for his professionalism, dedication, and steady leadership, Walter earned the respect of colleagues and clients alike. His legacy at Kleinfelder is reflected not only in the projects he helped deliver, but in the standards of excellence he upheld and the lasting impact of his contributions to Southern Nevada. Walter's contributions will be remembered not only in the infrastructure he helped build, but in the lives he influenced and the enduring impact he made on the communities he served." His family recalls his pride in his work, but they also remember his teasing, the little kid that got up early to trap muskrat in the ditch in front of his house, his interest in history, his curiosity, his learning to scuba dive before visiting Saipan where his Marine uncle died in WWII. In 1991, he married Florika Rahoi (deceased). He enjoyed several visits to her home country, Romania. After his retirement in 2014, he continued to indulge his travel urge by visiting Peru, the British Isles, New Zealand, and Australia. He especially enjoyed Tasmania, visiting it several times. He is survived by his two sisters, Jean Murray of Anchorage, Alaska and Candy (Ron) Harsh of Coleman, Michigan; nieces and nephews; a much-loved step-grandson, Shawn of Las Vegas; Maggie, his cocker spaniel; and his regular breakfast friends at Blueberry Hill on Sandhill. A memorial time is planned for July 18 in Coleman, MI.