Farewell, Good Friends: Tysons Rotary lost two of its most colorful and beloved members this fall with the passing of Bruno Walker and Lucas Gallegos. Bruno, 78, who lived in Oakton with his wife of 37 years, Joanna, died on Sept. 20, 2019 just days after being diagnosed with leukemia. Lucas, 97, a long-time resident of McLean with his wife of 77 years, Earlene, passed away on Oct. 23, 2019. The Club salutes Bruno and Lucas for their dedication to their families, their faith, and their communities. They helped make Tysons Corner Rotary the exceptional Club it is. Read more about their lives.
Bruno J. Walker was born on Christmas Eve 1940 in Vienna, Austria. He left college to become one of the first computer programmers in Austria and spent his career in IT and telecommunications, including 20 years with Nortel Networks and several years with Siemens. Bruno was known as a mountain man who loved to ski and hike, often in locales that included Utah, Nepal, and his native Austria. Bruno was an optimist who wanted to leave the world a better place and cared deeply about the environment. In his retirement, he became an avid lobbyist for Citizens Climate Lobby and had just started as a volunteer driver for Shepherd Center of Oakton and Vienna. He was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax in Oakton. Bruno joined the Rotary Club of Tysons Corner in December 2016. In addition to his wife, Joanna, Bruno is survived by six children from his three marriages, four grandchildren, and three sisters and their families.
Lucas G. Gallegos was born on Sept. 24, 1922 in Anaheim, California. He was one of four children who were orphaned and scattered – and eventually reunited through his efforts. Raised in Los Angeles, Lucas married Earlene Carlisle in 1942 and moved to Washington, D.C., to start a job at the Government Printing Office. He worked a second job at a bakery and soon bought a bakery with his brother Joseph. That venture blossomed into Lee Bakery Caterers, which Lucas and his family operated for more than 45 years with several locations around Northern Virginia. Lucas was a member and president of the Retail Bakers Association of America, and taught baking in Eastern Bloc countries through a U.S. State Department program. Lucas was an active member of St. John the Beloved Catholic Church in McLean where he belonged to the Knights of Columbus. Lucas is survived by his wife, Earlene, four sons, two daughters, 11 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. He had been a member of the Rotary Club of Tysons Corner since 2001.