RIP Walter Powell – Legendary RateBeerian

While scrolling through Facebook late last night, and to my surprise, I saw a new Page created called In Loving Memory of Walter Powell.  My first reaction was this was another silly RateBeer meme making it’s rounds.  Sadly, this was not the case. I went right to RateBeer.com and found a multiple page thread confirming that one of RB’s most beloved members and admins has passed away.  We don’t have the details of his passing, an autopsy is pending. Walt was 33 years young.

While I was not close with Walt, I definitely knew who he was, I knew that he was the man, and was viewed that way by the enormous RateBeer community.  I had Walt on my Facebook Timeline, and we both clowned off together in private trading groups over the years.

We’d like to share a statement from RateBeer.com’s Executive Director, Joseph Tucker.

Our stunned international community at RateBeer is mourning the loss of and raising a toast to our friend and contributor, admin, Walt Powell of Austin, Texas. We will miss you sorely, Walt.

Walt was known by beer enthusiasts the world round for his great passion for beer, his willingness to help, his generosity, his ability to turn good times into great ones, his sense of humor and his smile. Walt was a ten year veteran of the site, helped out as an admin however he could, and was an important part of the fantastic RateBeer group in Texas.

We’ll be sharing memories, raising toasts to Walt, and honoring his life at the site. Our thoughts are with his family.

You can join the thread over at RateBeer by following this link: http://www.ratebeer.com/forums/walt-rip_235965.htm

You can also visit Walt’s Tribute Page by following this link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/In-Loving-Memory-of-Walter-Connally-Powell/134924603377711

Rest In Peace Walter Powell – 12/26/1979-6/4/2013