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Maynard resident Walter VanWert Rockwell III died August 29, 2026, after a prolonged battle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). He was 64 years old at the time of his death. Walter was born at home in Wayland, Massachusetts on October 28, 1961. He grew up in Wayland with his mother Barbara Rockwell, née Male, and his siblings; splitting time with his father Walter Rockwell II in Connecticut.
He attended The Fenn School in Concord and graduated from Wayland High School. He began a bachelor’s degree at Hawaii Pacific University and completed it at UMass Amherst. He earned his Master of Education, with a concentration in Special Education, from Framingham State University. Walter spent 22 years as a beloved educator in the Wayland Public School systems, spending the majority of that time working at Happy Hollow Elementary School in Special Education, while his early years were spent at The Children’s Way Preschool.
Walter was passionate about staying active and being part of a team, and later in life through coaching and mentoring ensured that his years of experience and wisdom were passed down to the next generation of athletes. Walter was one of the first inductees into the Hawaii Ultimate League Association (HULA) Hall of Fame. Throughout his life he remained an avid fan and player of Ultimate Frisbee. He also spent years playing in area pick-up basketball leagues.
A dedicated and loving father, Walter was always the loudest voice cheering on his children as they pursued their passions and grew into adults he was proud to know. He was a lover of music, and particularly appreciated the talent and techniques of great guitarists, percussionists, and songwriters. Walter was a proud friend of Bill Wilson for more than 28 years and cherished the many subsequent friendships he was able to develop through that association. He went through life with a joke on his tongue, a twinkle of mirth in his eyes, and a loving heart ready to welcome anyone and everyone in to share in the laughter.
He is survived by his wife Jennifer Rockwell, his daughters Ashley and Taylor, his son Walter IV, their respective partners, and his two grandchildren Zen and Nolan. Walter is also survived by his brother John and his sister Barbara. He leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews, and loved ones. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, as well as his second grandchild Kamalani.
Walter’s wishes were to donate his brain to science to allow doctors and researchers to learn more about the rare disease that took his life. He is to be cremated following that, and the family will make plans for a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to MSA research at Massachusetts General Hospital through the Schmahmann Lab*. If you are unable to donate or would like to do something additional in his honor and memory, the family encourages you to share something you love with someone new.
*Donation Information
Making a gift online:
https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/ataxia-unit
Make sure to fill in “Dr. J Schmahmann; honoring Walter Rockwell” in the section labeled “Designate this gift to a specific program or area” towards the bottom of the page
Making a gift by check (mail):
Checks are to be made payable to Massachusetts General Hospital. The memo line should state: For Schmahmann Lab; honoring Walter Rockwell
Checks should be mailed to:
Massachusetts General Hospital Development Office
Attn: K. Baruffi
125 Nashua St, Suite 540
Boston, MA 02114