IEEE Power Electronics Magazine - June 2021 - 95

Remembering Our National Sales
Manager Walter Chalupa
W
alter Chalupa, the National
Sales Manager for IEEE
Power Electronics Magazine,
passed away on 31 March 2021,
leaving behind his wife Kerstin, two
children, Michael and Kristina, and
three grandchildren, Jack, Anna,
and Olivia.
Walter was born on 5 July 1948 in
Bamberg, Germany as his Ukrainian
parents fled the Russians after World
War II. Arriving in the United States
at the age of one, Walter grew up in
downtown Manhattan, Astoria and
Queens Village, New York. He graduated
high school from LaSalle Academy
in 1966 and Queens College, New
York in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts
in Political Science.
Before entering sales, he first started
work as a New York City taxi driver,
a driving approach that he held
onto throughout his life. He quickly,
however, launched his life in sales,
selling ties and men's shirts at the Custom
Shirt Shops-a life in sales that he
continued until the day of his death.
Walter spent the majority of his professional
sales life in the advertising
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MPEL.2021.3076590
Date of current version: 16 June 2021
" May memories of his passion
for his work and his wisdom
in life remain with each of
us as we go forward. "
Walter was a true salesman who
thoroughly enjoyed working with the
PELS family. He was sincere, dedicated
and passionate about his work.
After his stint as a taxi driver-
Walter Chalupa, 1948-2021
space world, working for directories
like Yellow Pages, Thomas Register,
Electronic Engineers Masters, Fraser's,
and ultimately Power Electronics Society's
(PELS) IEEE Power Electronics
Magazine. He was with the magazine
since its launch in 2014 and contributed
to the success of the magazine.
" Walter played a critical role in the successful
launch and sustainability of our
magazine. Without his efforts, we
would not have achieved the success
we now enjoy, " stated Mike Kelly,
PELS Executive Director. Magazine's
deputy Editor-in-Chief Robert N. Guenther
(Industry) said,
and before his life as a salesman-
Walter traveled to Europe with a
friend to see the world. At Bobadilla,
a dance club in Sweden, Walter met
the love of his life Kerstin. One year
later he married her in a church in
Queens, NY. Walter and Kerstin were
married for almost 50 years.
Walter was a dedicated husband
and father. He was a beloved grandfather.
The kind of grandfather that
always said the slightly inappropriate
thing, much to the delight of his
grandkids. He prided himself on his
barbeque skills, loved old time television
shows, always had a good joke
(or at least good in his mind), enjoyed
an occasional trip to the blackjack
table, loved the art of bargaining for
the best deal possible, and always
appreciated a good meal. Walter had
a big heart and a great sense of
humor. He will be truly missed.
June 2021 z IEEE POWER ELECTRONICS MAGAZINE 95
IEEE Power Electronics Magazine - June 2021

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