Denis Leo Walsh

Retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Denis Leo Walsh, age 90, died peacefully on Monday, October 6, 2025, at his home in Denver, Colorado. Known affectionately by family as “Bum” or “Bumpa,” Denis lived a full, purposeful life of service to family and country and was much loved by his family and close friends.

Denis was born on August 9, 1935, in Waterloo, Iowa. He was the youngest of four children and spent most of his childhood in rural Missouri. His lifelong obsession with aviation began at age 12, when he took his first flight with his brother Tom in a Piper Cub. Denis graduated in May 1953 from St. Agnes High School, Springfield, Missouri. After two years at Southwest Missouri State College, Denis enlisted as a naval aviation cadet. On the day he soloed, he learned he was accepted to the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). His brother Mick encouraged him to resign from the U.S. Navy to pursue the opportunity for education at the USAFA. While attending the USAFA, Denis met his future wife, Elizabeth “Liz” Hayes, on a blind double date. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science on June 8, 1960. Denis and Liz were married in Denver on December 29, 1960. Guided by their faith in God and by their love, they raised four children. When Air Force assignments moved them across the United States, the family understood that their true “home” was being together.

Denis’s 31-year Air Force career included many medals, awards, and trophies; over 5,000 flying hours, primarily in B-52 bombers and his preferred FB-111 fighter-bombers; combat assignments in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War; and leadership assignments as wing commander (1983–84) at Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire, as division commander (1985–87) at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, and as commander (1989–91) at the Defense Industrial Support Center (DISC) in Pennsylvania. His proudest achievements involved using his position to cut through red tape, such as when he facilitated the funding for an on-site child care center at the DISC.

Denis and Liz returned to Denver after he retired in 1991. Retirement in Colorado allowed Denis to connect with USAFA alumni at monthly luncheons in Colorado Springs. In September 2025, he participated in an online reunion celebrating the Class of 1960’s 65th anniversary.

Denis’s flying did not end with his retirement from the U.S. Air Force. He built and piloted a two-seat RV-6A, which he appreciated for its aerobatic capabilities. While building the airplane, each member of his family installed at least one rivet. Over the years Denis developed strong friendships with his fellow Front Range Airport aviators, swapping stories in the hangars, collaborating on plane maintenance, and routinely flying to other regional airports for breakfast. He made many flights across the country to attend Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) fly-ins and to visit his sister Pat in Missouri. Once he even flew across Canada on an adventure to the Arctic Circle. Denis served countless volunteer hours and provided 550 free flights for youth interested in aviation through the EAA Young Eagles program. He logged over 4000 hours flying his beloved RV-6A and was flying until the last year of his life.

Denis and Liz were devoted to each other in marriage for over 44 years. After Liz’s death on February 8, 2005, Denis lived independently in their Denver home except during occasions when a grandchild lived with him. He always enjoyed supporting his grandchildren’s education and learning new things from them. He was happiest with his children and grandchildren all gathered under one roof—jostling in the kitchen to find space for his turkey, telling jokes, sharing stories, commanding his granddogs, and sitting back to soak it all in.

Denis is survived by his four children Margaret Mary Walsh, Paul Joseph Walsh (Magdelena “Maggie” Andujar Walsh), Thomas Andrew Walsh (Marilana “Marnie” Sofield Walsh), and Elaine Elizabeth Walsh (John “Michael” Shea); and by his seven grandchildren Regina “Reggi” Walsh, Kathryn Walsh (Daniel Norton), Patrick Walsh, Joseph Walsh (Samantha Schwartz), Susanna Huyge (Mason Huyge), Peter Walsh, and Kathleen Shea. He is also survived by his sister Patricia Bernadette Goebel and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Denis was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth “Liz” Walsh, his parents Thomas Leo and Violette Walsh, his two brothers Thomas Cornelius Walsh and Michael Joseph Walsh, and his nephew Thomas David Walsh.

Details of a Catholic Funeral Mass and interment at the U.S. Air Force Academy will be posted at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Denis’s family asks that you consider making a donation in his memory to the EAA Aviation Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization (39-1033301), for the purpose of supporting the Young Eagles program of EAA chapter 301.