FALL RIVER, Mass. – W. Walter Raber, 56, passed away on Dec. 21, at the site for the processing ship Atlantic Frost in Fall River, Mass.

“Walt” was born April 30, 1948, in Grand Junction, Colo., to Winifred Black Raber and Wilbur J. Raber who were ranchers in Mesa County.

He attended schools in Mesa County, Colo., and college at Colorado State University. He received the I Dare You Award’ and national Outstanding Leadership Award’ for his accomplishments in 4-H.

He married Leslie Scott and they had spent their lives in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

He fished for salmon, crab and pollack in the Bering Sea. Lately, they had focused on herring and mackerel in the Northeast. He was following his lifelong passion and vision with the Providian and the Atlantic Frost with his son, Ryan Raber, Bill Phillips and Tim Kennedy, and many loyal and talented crew members and employees.

He is survived by his wife, Leslie Scott Raber; a son, Ryan Matthew Raber; a daughter, Suzannah Katherine Raber; daughter-in-law, Michelle Raber; a granddaughter, Ryleigh Raber; his mother, Winifred K. Raber; a sister, JoAnn W. Wagner; a niece, Anne M. Archuleta; a nephew, Gustave T. Wagner; a great niece, Amanda A. Archuleta; and great nephews, Zachary and Tyler Wagner; as well as aunts, an uncle, and many cousins.