Obituary of Walter McCook Stokes

Walter ("Wally") McCook Stokes, age 88, a resident of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania for nearly 50 years, passed away on October 8, 2025. Walt was the beloved husband of the late Alicia Atlin Stokes for 66 years (after he swooped in to rescue her when her blind date went awry). Born in Philadelphia, Walt was the son of the late William Cheston Stokes, JR and the late Mary McCook Stokes, and the brother of the late Mary Stokes Phillips. After graduating Germantown Friends in 1955, Walt attended Dartmouth College where he received his bachelor's degree in economics in 1959. Walt entered the Army upon graduation from college and was discharged with the rank of Captain in 1961 whereupon he entered the business world with his father focusing on materials handling supply. Walt remained active in business throughout his life. Walt loved the outdoors, a passion he picked up attending Camp Winona in Maine for eleven years as both a camper and counselor. Winona and the shores of Moose Pond and the friends he made there held a special place in his heart throughout his life. Walt's love of the outdoors extended to mentoring and sharing his experiences as an assistant Scout Master in the Boy Scouts, and he remained active in the troop well after his boys' participation had ended. One of his great joys was taking suburban Philadelphia boys canoeing and camping in the wilds of the upper Allagash river in Maine. Walt liked all things sports and participated in a wide range of outdoor sports, from skiing, scuba diving and cycling to sailing and canoe racing (yes canoe racing), and was an avid runner, running in 5Ks, 10Ks, and a marathon, and continued running up until his mid-80s. Walt was a devoted husband and father. He had unfailing and infectious optimism and approached everything with joy. Walt was a true "people person" in the best sense of the phrase. He delighted in meeting, connecting and learning about different people, and maintained lifelong friendships from the people he met along the way from Winona, Germantown Friends, Dartmouth, the Army, and work. He is survived by his three sons: David William Stokes, Sean Atlin Stokes, and Timothy Anderson Stokes (with his wife Anne Marie), as well as eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren (as well as his beloved constant cat companion Callie). A service celebrating Walt's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Abington Presbyterian Church, 1082 Old York Road, Abington, where relatives and friends will be received from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Memorial contributions in Walt's name may be made to Camp Winona for Boys with details at https://winonacamps.com/welcome-alumni/donate-to-camperships/