Walter Chitwood III

Walter Newton Chitwood III of Annapolis, Maryland died January 5, 2019 at Hospice of the Chesapeake in Harwood. He was 70 years old and suffered from complications due to a series of strokes. He was retired from a long and distinguished career in public service in county and state government and as an educator. Walter was born in San Diego, California to Eleanor Clara, an Annapolis native, and Walter N. Chitwood Jr., a Chief in the US Navy. His family moved to Anne Arundel County shortly after his birth and made their home in Arnold, MD, where his mother began a long career as a teacher in the county school system. Walter graduated from Severna Park High School in 1966, highlighted by a bright academic and athletic record. He was later inducted into the school’s athletic hall of fame. At Wheaton College in Illinois he earned a degree in political science and was a member of the R.O.T.C. He graduated in 1970 and later earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Baltimore. After college, he served as an officer in the US Army during the Vietnam War. Walter was an honored recipient of the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, and other commendations and awards. His dedication to the military left a lasting impression on him and motivated much of his professional and personal life. His public service career choices focused almost exclusively on the lives and safety of local communities and its ability to treat all citizens with respect and fairness. Following his distinguished service in the Army he returned home to Arnold where he learned his youth football coach, Bob Pascal, was running for county executive. When Pascal won election as Anne Arundel’s second executive, he asked Walter to join his administration as his top assistant – a job he held for eight years. As his reputation for budget and administrative expertise grew, he served future county executives Jim Lighthizer, Bob Neall and Janet Owens in a variety of posts including Chief Administrative Officer, County Controller and chief of several other agencies. He also served as a budget analyst with the state government. During these years, Walter also joined the faculties of Anne Arundel Community College and Washington College in Chestertown as an adjunct professor in economics and government. As a community volunteer, he was recruited for many local boards, committees and task forces. In addition, Walter and his family were sponsors for many midshipmen from the US Naval Academy. Walter is survived by his wife Jane of 40 years and three children; Ian and Michelle Goldberg of Philadelphia, Carri and Marc Browne of Copenhagen, Denmark, Ryan and Amy Chitwood of Annapolis, five grandchildren, and his sister, Eleanor Ann Boyd of Pennsylvania.

Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, January 13th 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM at Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Glouchester St., Annapolis, MD 21401. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM at Taylor Funeral Home on January 14th. Rather than floral tributes, the family asks that contributions in Walter’s name be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122 (hospiceofchesapeake.org) or the Disabled American Veterans (dav.org). An online guest book is available at www.johnmtaylorfuneralhome.com