Walter Michael Nash

Walter Michael Nash, 75, of Fort Collins, Colorado, passed away peacefully at his home on August 2, 2026, surrounded by his wife Patti and his children, Carl and Rachel.

Walter was born in 1951 in Chicago, Illinois to Walter F. and Helen M. (Bludgen) Nash. He was the oldest of six children. His father—who worked for the Illinois Central Railroad—nicknamed him “Spike” because of his sturdy little frame and tranquil demeanor.

A railroad spike is a heavy-duty, large iron nail used to secure steel rails to wooden ties on a railway track. Its primary function is to maintain the correct distance between the rails and prevent the rails from shifting.

Throughout his life, Walter lived up to that nickname by serving as an anchoring, protective and stabilizing energy for his loved ones, friends and colleagues.

Walter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Studies from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with the aim of becoming a subsistence farmer.

Early livelihoods were many and varied but in his longest and last career, he served on behalf of K-12 school district staff members across the country as a Student Information Systems software engineer and trainer for Computer Information Concepts based in Greeley, CO.

At work as well as in life, Walter approached every challenge with patience, good humor, and a willingness to help. He earned the deep respect and affection of his coworkers, as well as the gratitude of thousands of school district employees whose lives were made easier by his efforts.

Above all, Walter was a tender, loving and quintessentially even-keeled husband and father. He and Patti shared 38 years together during which they relished every moment of their tremendously lucky union as complete opposites. They shared a lot of laughter and an unwavering commitment to each other. Walter was a dedicated steward to his wife and children, an industrious handyman who tackled home repair with gusto, and a wonderful short-order cook who could whip up a delicious meal at a moment’s notice. We will remember him always for the gentle way he listened, his lightheartedness, dependability, quick witted humor, and unconditional love.

Walter’s true passion in life was centered in self-discovery. He was an intensely curious soul who never tired of wondering about the fundamental meaning and purpose of life and about our connection to a higher reality.

In his later years, he spent a vast number of hours in the study of Vedic Astrology, and he joyfully offered meticulously researched birth chart readings for friends and family.

Walter believed that our souls are eternal; that we’ve lived multiple lives before this one and that many of us can look forward to countless more incarnations. He believed that we come to this Earth School to learn lessons that foster our enlightenment and to ultimately accept that we cannot control or steer this life; but instead, we achieve growth as spiritual beings by meeting our circumstances with an open heart and open arms.

Walter possessed the genuinely serene disposition of a very wise soul who truly walked the walk of his beliefs. He greeted the news of his stage four cancer diagnosis with characteristic humility and grace and made the very most of his remaining days by continuing to study philosophy, to behave generously, to seek stillness and to love deeply those whom he called beloved.

In addition to his wife Patti and their children Carl Michael Nash (Alicia) and Rachel Melanie Nash Harrison (Graham), Walter is survived by his treasured eldest child, Janel Nicole Nash. Survivors also include his five siblings: William Nash, Susan Nash, David Nash, Helen Mitchell and Laura Farnsworth as well as many nieces and nephews.

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