April 19, 2022

Dr. Walter J. Farmer, age 83, passed away on April 19. Walt grew up in Bloomington, Indiana where he earned his Bachelor of Sciences degree from Indiana University. After receiving his Ph.D. from Purdue University, Walt and his wife of 55 years, Bonnita, moved to Southern California.

Walt joined the faculty at University of California, Riverside as a soil chemist in 1966. His tenure of over 40 years included several years as the chair of the Dept. of Environmental Sciences. He sincerely enjoyed mentoring both graduate and undergraduate students. 

His passions for the environment and agriculture extended beyond UCR. He cultivated a beautiful home garden in Riverside that provided his family and friends with countless avocados, pomegranates, citrus, peaches and other treats. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, hiking and admiring local vegetation. Walt and his wife were very active in supporting educational and artistic endeavors and the Green Valley Lake community in the San Bernardino Mountains. In his retirement, Walt enjoyed spending time at the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach, traveling, reading and engaging with his family, especially his grandchildren. In 2021, Walt moved to La Crescenta to be with family.

He is survived by his daughters Margaret Kenrick and Melissa Farmer Coste; grandchildren Samantha Kaufhold, Anthony Kenrick, Katelyn Coste and Nathan Coste; and siblings Barbara Hostetler, Art Farmer, Sam Farmer and Steve Farmer. 

In celebration of his life, the family suggests donations be sent to the American Heart Association to raise support and awareness for heart and stroke diseases.

Link:  http://www2.heart.org/goto/Walter_J_Farmer.

Funeral directors: www.CrippenMortuary.com