12/06/2016

Dr. Garry Walz has passed away

Garry Walz, NCDA’s 1997 Eminent Career Award Winner and long-time NCDA member, has passed.  ACA released the sad news Monday, December 5, 2016. A celebration of life is being planned. Read below for messages from NCDA members and from ACA. Feel free to leave your comments below.

"Garry was such a consistent presence for ACA and NCDA.  Tough to imagine someone caring more about their profession than Garry." -- Spencer Niles

Garry did so much for me and hundreds of others that needed encouragement to think, write and dream beyond our self-imposed limits.  -- Rich Feller

Garry's life-long professional leadership has been significant and effective.  I got to know him and appreciate his effective and compassionate leadership when he was APGA (now ACA) President and I chaired the Federal Relations Committee. He was very supportive and actively involved. His support of NCDA's mission and programs has been consistent and influential and we will continue to benefit greatly from his service.     -- E. Niel Carey

Dr. Garry Walz, ACA's 20th President, passed away. Garry served as the association's 20th national president. As one of our youngest presidents, Garry brought great energy to his role as our leader and in subsequent years, some would say his level of energy and engagement grew even more! He was instrumental in the development of many counselors and counselor educators who today are key leaders of the profession.

Garry had a desire to "pay it back" and was instrumental in helping those who were new counselors and counselor educators begin their professional journey. I would say that Garry single handedly helped to launch VISTAS, an ACA publication that provided such an avenue to those who were beginning their role as scholars and practitioners.

As the director of the Educational Research and Information Clearinghouse on Counseling and Student Services (ERIC/CASS), the resources that Garry, along with his colleague Jeanne Bleuer and their staff made available to the profession was both significant and impactful in the research and practice of counseling.

Garry had a long career as an educator, researcher, author, and publisher. In his later years, he found a passion for photography and many of his photos were used in counseling-related publications and in exhibitions as well.

I know that you will join me in keeping Jeanne, his family, and his many dear friends in your thoughts during this sad time.

Regards,

Rich
Richard Yep, CAE, FASAE 
American Counseling Association Chief Executive Officer