Walker Storz

Walker William Storz died on April 30 in Trampas, NM. He was 30 years old.

He is survived by his mother Thea Storz, father William Storz, sisters Samantha and Lucinda Storz, grandmother Anne Storz, and cat Athena, as well as many cousins, aunts and uncles, and loving friends. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Roberta Held-Weiss, sister Clara Storz, grandfather Wilfred Storz, and grandfather Herbert Weiss.

Walker was born in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and raised in Walterboro, South Carolina, and Kirby, Vermont. Walker was an active child who poured himself into his many interests, whether that was summiting mountains, devouring books, or racing down ski slopes. In adolescence, he found his main passion, music. Beginning in childhood and continuing throughout his life, Walker was active in his local arts communities such as Bread and Puppet Theater and Catamount Arts. Walker attended Idyllwild Arts Academy in high school, studying jazz guitar, then went on to study music and photography at Hampshire College. He was a talented songwriter, composer, and improviser, and was happiest when he was able to perform and listen to live music. Walker was unable to complete his senior year at Hampshire due to the increasing severity of his illness.

Walker’s friends and family knew him as an intelligent, funny, and headstrong person who cared deeply for the natural world and his loved ones. Despite his struggle with illness he remained determined, articulate, and committed to his artistic pursuits. When Walker's illness became so severe that he lost the ability to play or listen to music, he turned his focus to writing, publishing many essays, short stories, and poems. A radiant curiosity kept him connected with the world and a generous spirit kept him connected with distant friends.

Walker’s illness began in 2016 with an acute Lyme infection. He was then diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis in 2017, which became severe starting in 2018. Despite making some progress towards recovery in 2019, he developed craniocervical instability that required a cervical fusion. During the course of his illness, Walker spent much of his limited energy researching treatments to help himself and other ME patients, as well as advocating for scientific research into ME/CFS and environmental illnesses. In his search for relief from his environmental illness, Walker traveled throughout the Southwest. He had a deep connection to the pristine, healing wilderness of New Mexico, where he ultimately chose to die.

In February of this year, a doctor concluded that Walker's CCI and ME were so severe that he was referred to hospice and diagnosed as terminal. Despite years of relentless pursuit of treatments, he elected to do Medical Aid in Dying.

Walker’s family would like to thank the countless people who have supported Walker and his family during these last seven years. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Walker can be made to PolyBio Research Foundation or the Crooked Forest Institute. Additionally, a foundation in Walker’s name will be set up to continue Walker’s work and honor his legacy. For more information on how to support this foundation going forward, email theaastorz@gmail.com. To read about ME/CFS and Walker's experience, please visit walkerstorz.com. Information on a memorial service will be announced soon.

The family of Walker William Storz has entrusted the care of their loved one to the caring staff of DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. www.devargastaos.com 1-866-657-4019