David Walsh, pictured with President Zorica Pantic
A U.S. Marine veteran, David Walsh, MP ’60, was a first-generation college student who developed a passion and respect for education that always remained close to his heart. After earning a certificate in machine process technology from Wentworth, he co-founded Walco Tool & Engineering, a progressive contract computer numeric control machine shop, and served as chief executive officer and principal owner.
Mr. Walsh invested in his Chicago community by launching WISE (Walco, Internal, Skilled, Enhancement) to train qualified workers, and invested in collaboration with a local community college to educate future employees in a precision manufacturing craft. In 2015, he established the David M. Walsh Scholarship Fund for Wentworth mechanical engineering students who demonstrate financial need.
“David and his wife, Martha, loved to read the annual letters they received from student recipients,” recalls Mariellen Gilbane Dachos, major gift officer at Wentworth. “It often brought them to tears.”
