Walter Irvan Van Blaircom was born October 5th, 1939 in Gary, Indiana and passed away peacefully on November 18th, 2024, in River Falls, Wisconsin. He was born to Floyd Irvan and Marie M. (Dusich) Van Blaircom and was raised in Northwestern Indiana. He graduated from Portage High School in Portage, Indiana. Walter received a scholarship from and briefly attended the Academy of Art in Chicago, Illinois.
He also served our Country in the US Army and was stationed in Wurtzburg, Germany where he met lifelong friendships that stayed close to his heart the remainder of his life. Walter had three loves of his life, his wife Carole, his passion for art and he loved to fly.
He met his future wife Carole Anne (Coyne) Van Blaircom in High School. While they did not date in High School they were married November 15th, 1960. Through their 62 years of marriage they had two sons, Bret Aron Van Blaircom and Kirk X Van Blaircom. He said his sons gave him his greatest pride. His love of art led him to be a very successful commercial artist in the signage and advertising industry where he created original brands for clients, indelible neighborhood storefronts, iconic and national award winning billboard campaigns. Walter owned his own sign and outdoor advertising business in Elkhart, Indiana. And through it owned the rights to countless outdoor advertising locations along the Indiana Tollway throughout Northwestern and North Central Indiana.
Walter’s love for flying led him to become a hang glider pilot for over 20 years in which he became an accomplished pilot who navigated extreme flying conditions in environments including the Sierra Nevada and Appalachian Mountains. Mostly he flew in his favorite places, the Dunes of Indiana and Southwestern Michigan. While some of the best pilots of the early and mid 80’s were grounded because of gale force winds, Walter would launch and soar far above anyone ever thought was possible. This was certainly how he lived as well. Walter was known for his style, both his fashion and charisma. He had charm this world rarely witnesses and he made an impact wherever he went.
His friendships were profound, and he was deeply loved by many. He gave freely to so many people and often changed their lives. One of his lifelong friends shared that every now and again you meet someone that changes your life or even how you think about it and there was only one Walter. Walter was a perfectionist and understood the smallest of details mattered. Whether it was being a master of the arts including of pen and ink, watercolor, charcoal, pencil, marker or hand lettering signs. His talent was at the very highest level found anywhere. His meticulous nature was displayed in the simplest of ways including spotting out four leaf clovers in a patch or noticing something that no one else could see in a cloud or a tree or in a person.

As a teen and throughout his life he loved classic cars and had a rather heavy pedal foot. Stories throughout his life were things of Urban Legendary status that surpassed Hollywood stories, because they were real. Most importantly, he loved life, cared deeply for people and did not compromise his principles for anyone or anything. Walter’s class preceded him and he did whatever he could for anyone even when he had nothing to give. His one weakness was his corny jokes, but we all are willing to forgive. Walter was made to soar and he did in everyway throughout his life. Now that his body is passed, he is truly free to rise.
Walter, you will be missed, but we always knew you were headed to someplace higher. You will be sorely missed and not forgotten. Be free as you should be and always were.
Until we see him again, Walter survived by those who are still here: Son, Bret A. VanBlaircom (Jenny Stuner) Son, Kirk X. VanBlaircom, Grandchildren, Amanda Vetito, Sarah Meadows, Kyle VanBlaircom, Kathleen VanBlaircom and Samuel Kane VanBlaircom. Great grandkids, Hailey and Jackie (Amanda) , Riley (Sarah), Charlie and Aya Rose (Kathleen) and Alexander and Lennon (Kyle) David VanBlaircom (Nephew) Debbie VanBlaircom (Niece),John VanBlaircom (Nephew) Arthur Coyne (Nephew) and David Coyne (Nephew); And those who proceeded you: Carole Ann VanBlaircom (Coyne) (Wife of 62 years) 1938-2022, Floyd Irvan VanBlaircom (Father) 1911-1978, Marie M VanBlaircom (Mother) 1908 -1980, Duane VanBlaircom (Brother) 1937-1996, Charlene Watson (VanBlaircom) (Sister), Russel Alan VanBlaircom (Brother) 1941-2019, Mace Alan VanBlaircom (nephew) 1968-2023
A Celebration of Life is being planned and more information will be posted as it is available. Memorial services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of River Falls.