October 9, 1951 - December 10, 2019
Walter was born in Kollbrunn (Zell), Switzerland to Walter and Anna Egg (nee Schoch). Growing up, Walter loved hiking with his family in Appenzell, playing hockey, going cycling and on motorcycle rides with Uncle Hans. Walter's sister Hilda and husband Les, helped make his dream come true of coming to Canada when Les went to Switzerland and sponsored Walter. He officially emigrated in 1976. The north called Walter and he attended the Haileybury School of Mines in Northern Ontario. His ambition of log building was kindled in Ontario and he brought his skills north to the Yukon. First he arrived in Tagish and finally in Destruction Bay where he made his home of over 30 years. Everyone wanted to be on Walter's exploration crew because he was famous for the log saunas which he built at the camps. Dogs were Walter's first love and his dog team grew to over 30. If you were lucky enough to go on an expedition with Chettyna Kennels, it was the adventure of a lifetime. In the fall of 2006, Walter invited his future wife, Linda, up to the Yukon to help run the dogs for a winter. She never left and they were married in 2013. Their home was the jumping off point of many wonderful adventures in Kluane Country. Walter's passion for nature and the Yukon has inspired the adventurous soul in many who met him and his kindness and laughter will never be forgotten.
Walter passed away on December 10, 2019 at the age of 68 while travelling across Kluane Lake to his favorite woodlot. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Linda Lewis, his sisters Hilda Lukovich (Les Lukovich, deceased) of Mississauga and Clara Henggeler (Luca Fiore) of Kollbrunn, Switzerland, his nephews, Jurg, and Markus Henggeler and cousins, Oskar and Willi Egg and families in Switzerland. He touched the hearts of many close friends throughout the Yukon, Switzerland, Germany and Luxembourg. He will also be dearly missed by Linda's family.
The family would like to sincerely thank friends from Destruction Bay and Burwash Landing, the RCMP, Yukon Search and Rescue and the Whitehorse Fire Department who assisted in the search and recovery of Walter.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the summer of 2020, in Destruction Bay (date to be determined).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Yukon SAR via e-transfer to: info@yukonsar.org or by cheque to: Yukon Government, c/o EMO, Box 2703, Whitehorse, YT, Y1A 2C6, or donate to Yukon Wildlife Preserve at donate.yukonwildlife.ca.