The night of February 15, 2022, Walter Dmytro Komhyr of Boulder, passed away peacefully. He leaves his wife, Carol, four children, Brian (Pam) Komhyr of Pinewood Springs, Sharon (Dan) Reese of Louisville, Douglas (Tracy) Komhyr of Boulder, Justin Komhyr of Denver, seven grandchildren, Amy (Nathan) Emery, Michael, Alyssa and Cayce Reese, Nicholas and Alexas Komhyr, and Ethan Komhyr, and two great-grandsons Brayden and Kasen Emery. Predeceased by grandson Kyle Komhyr. Walter is also survived by sister Sonia, predeceased by sisters Mary, Pearl and Violet and parents Anna and Dmytro Komhyr.
Walter Komhyr was born November 12, 1931, in Spedden, Alberta, Canada, the son of Ukrainian immigrant farmers. With no electricity or running water, he truly lived in a little house on the prairie just like in the days of the pioneers. No one imagined that one day he would be a pioneer of a different sort, in the field of atmospheric research. Foregoing the farm life, Walter graduated from the University of Alberta and began working as a physicist during the First International Geophysical Year (1957-1958). His career quickly blossomed as he standardized the Dobson Spectrophotometer Network, first in Canada, then in the U.S., and ultimately globally with the WMO (World Meteorological Organization). Walter also developed and patented the ECC ozonesonde during this time. In 1965 Walter was awarded a Silver Medal from the U.S. Department of Commerce for his valuable contributions to science and technology. He moved to Boulder in 1966 to continue his work for the U.S. Government. In 1968, the National Science Foundation honored him with a geographical feature in Antarctica named Komhyr Ridge. In 1972, Walter was hired onto a new project at NOAA where he served as Chief of the Monitoring Trace Gases group before establishing En-Sci Corporation, which built and sold his ozonesondes worldwide. His ECC ozonesonde has been the worldwide standard for ozone profiling on balloons for more than 50 years. Walter was a giant in the field of Atmospheric Research and his contributions were monumental. His driving force behind all these efforts was a desire to contribute to mankind in a way that ensured future generations could enjoy a healthy, beautiful, and thriving environment on this wondrous planet earth.
In an interview, Walter humbly said this about his contribution to atmospheric research:
“The data gathered comprises for mankind an invaluable scientific archive.”
Most apparent and inherent to Walter’s character was a deep appreciation and connection to nature which he passed on to each of his children and grandchildren. The camping trips, hikes and fishing contests are cherished memories of quality time spent with a man so devoted to his mission. He was also a big fan of his children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren’s many endeavors such as figure skating, hockey, horseback riding, dance, music, soccer, football, basketball, baseball, swimming, running, triathlon, karate, rock climbing, lacrosse, gymnastics and more. He especially enjoyed the science fair days. Walter clearly valued academics and encouraged higher education. He truly loved and appreciated his time spent with family. Walter met Carol, his wife-to-be, at one of his first jobs in Toronto, Canada. Last year they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. In 1985, he and Carol built a home in Boulder County with a beautiful view. Ironically, Walter had ended up back on a farm boarding horses and making hay. The horses, hayrides, pond, and pool have been a source of festivities and celebrations for a host of family and friends who appreciate their generous offer to share this magical setting.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Walter Komhyr’s memory to:
Fundamental Needs (fundamentalneeds.net): https://www.fundamentalneeds.net/
or
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church of Boulder, Colorado.: https://www.standrewboulder.org/giving
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Walter Komhyr, please visit our flower store.
Walter Komhyr was born November 12, 1931, in Spedden, Alberta, Canada, the son of Ukrainian immigrant farmers. With no electricity or running water, he truly lived in a little house on the prairie just like in the days of the pioneers. No one imagined that one day he would be a pioneer of a different sort, in the field of atmospheric research. Foregoing the farm life, Walter graduated from the University of Alberta and began working as a physicist during the First International Geophysical Year (1957-1958). His career quickly blossomed as he standardized the Dobson Spectrophotometer Network, first in Canada, then in the U.S., and ultimately globally with the WMO (World Meteorological Organization). Walter also developed and patented the ECC ozonesonde during this time. In 1965 Walter was awarded a Silver Medal from the U.S. Department of Commerce for his valuable contributions to science and technology. He moved to Boulder in 1966 to continue his work for the U.S. Government. In 1968, the National Science Foundation honored him with a geographical feature in Antarctica named Komhyr Ridge. In 1972, Walter was hired onto a new project at NOAA where he served as Chief of the Monitoring Trace Gases group before establishing En-Sci Corporation, which built and sold his ozonesondes worldwide. His ECC ozonesonde has been the worldwide standard for ozone profiling on balloons for more than 50 years. Walter was a giant in the field of Atmospheric Research and his contributions were monumental. His driving force behind all these efforts was a desire to contribute to mankind in a way that ensured future generations could enjoy a healthy, beautiful, and thriving environment on this wondrous planet earth.
In an interview, Walter humbly said this about his contribution to atmospheric research:
“The data gathered comprises for mankind an invaluable scientific archive.”
Most apparent and inherent to Walter’s character was a deep appreciation and connection to nature which he passed on to each of his children and grandchildren. The camping trips, hikes and fishing contests are cherished memories of quality time spent with a man so devoted to his mission. He was also a big fan of his children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren’s many endeavors such as figure skating, hockey, horseback riding, dance, music, soccer, football, basketball, baseball, swimming, running, triathlon, karate, rock climbing, lacrosse, gymnastics and more. He especially enjoyed the science fair days. Walter clearly valued academics and encouraged higher education. He truly loved and appreciated his time spent with family. Walter met Carol, his wife-to-be, at one of his first jobs in Toronto, Canada. Last year they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. In 1985, he and Carol built a home in Boulder County with a beautiful view. Ironically, Walter had ended up back on a farm boarding horses and making hay. The horses, hayrides, pond, and pool have been a source of festivities and celebrations for a host of family and friends who appreciate their generous offer to share this magical setting.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Walter Komhyr’s memory to:
Fundamental Needs (fundamentalneeds.net): https://www.fundamentalneeds.net/
or
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church of Boulder, Colorado.: https://www.standrewboulder.org/giving
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In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Walter Komhyr’s memory to: Fundamental Needs (fundamentalneeds.net): https://www.fundamentalneeds.net/ or St. Andrew Presbyterian Church of Boulder, Colorado.: https://www.standrewboulder.org/giving
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