Walter Lewis Spicer

After 96 wonderful years, Walt passed away peacefully on October 7 in Napa, CA, surrounded by family. Born on June 23, 1929 in Santa Ana to third generation Californians, Walter Scott Spicer and Faye Gooch Spicer, his family then moved to Newport Beach where he graduated from Newport Harbor High School in 1947. He left California to attend the University of Colorado, Boulder, graduating in 1952 in Business with an officer’s commission in the US Naval Supply Corps.

While at Boulder, he met his first wife, Susan Flugstad of Denver. They were married February 1952 in Denver shortly before he entered the Navy as a Supply Officer aboard the USS Merapi in Japan and Korea during the Korean War. He received the Korean Service Award and was discharged in 1954 as a Lt. JG in the US Navy Reserve.

Walt and Susie then resided in Corona Del Mar, raising their two children while he was employed at the Ward & Harrington Lumber Company. In 1958, he joined First American Title Insurance Co. in Santa Ana, as VP and assistant to the CEO.

In 1963, Walt was transferred to San Francisco as President /CEO of First American Title Company, settling in Kentfield. In 1969, Walt made a career change, becoming Director of Real Estate for the Sun Valley Company, moving the family to Idaho. Returning to the Bay Area in 1972, Walt lead resort projects in Lake Tahoe for Grubb & Ellis Development Co. In 1975, he became President /CEO of Vacation Resorts, Inc., an Aspen resort management company with national locations that landed Walt and Susie in Aspen, first, and then Maui before returning to Kentfield in 1978, where Walt formed Quail Corporation, his Marin-based development company.

Following the death of Susie in 1990, he married Dana Beck of Napa in 1991, where Walt and Dana eventually settled — enjoying 33 years together with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many friends.

Throughout his life and upon retiring, Walt volunteered with many area non-profit organizations, including the Marin General Hospital Foundation, the Marin Cancer Center Institute, the Salvation Army Napa Corps (2025 Emeritus) and Director of North Bay Developmental Disabilities Services. He served as Past President for the Meadow Club (Fairfax, CA) and Silverado Country Club (Napa), and was an active member of both choir and vestries at St. John’s (Ross, CA) and St. Mary’s (Napa, CA) Episcopal churches.

Walt was proceeded in death by his parents; his late wife Susan; sisters Harriet Spicer Allan (Bob) of California and Carolyn Spicer Burke of Boise, Idaho. He is survived by his loving wife Dana of Napa, son Stephen Spicer (Karen) of San Rafael, CA and daughter Robin Spicer (Rob) of Issaquah, WA; step-daughter Jodi Beck Earls of Rutherford, CA; grandchildren Stephanie Frey (Adam) of Houston, TX, Melissa Fruechtel (Joseph), of Sherwood, OR, lsabelle Earls of Austin, TX, and Olivia and Julian Earls of Rutherford, CA.; five great grandchildren, Susie, Maggie, Everett, Caroline & Jocelyn; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service celebrating Walt’s life will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 2pm, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 1917 3rd St., Napa, California. Reception to follow at NAPAVALLEYCLUB off of Garfield Lane.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in his name be made to Salvation Army Napa Corps, Share The Care Napa Valley, or Molly’s Angels of Napa Valley.

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