Walter Scott Jr.
Walter Scott Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 May 1931 |
| Died | 25 September 2021 (aged 90) |
| Occupation(s) | Civil engineer, businessman, philanthropist |
| Known for | CEO of Kiewit Corporation, philanthropist |
Walter Scott Jr. (May 21, 1931 – September 25, 2021) was a prominent American billionaire, civil engineer, philanthropist, and the chief executive officer of Kiewit Corporation. At the time of his passing, his net worth was valued at approximately US$4.2 billion.
Education
He completed his undergraduate studies in civil engineering at Colorado State University in 1953.
Career
Scott became a member of the Kiewit Corporation board in 1964 and ascended to the presidency in 1979. Upon the death of Peter Kiewit that same year, Scott took over as chairman.
His tenure included serving on the board of Berkshire Hathaway, where he maintained a lifelong association with Warren Buffett. His board memberships extended to companies such as Burlington Resources, Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises, Level 3 Communications Inc., MidAmerican Energy Holdings, RCN Corporation, Valmont Industries, and Peter Kiewit Sons' Inc. Additionally, he chaired the Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress.
Scott held leadership positions across various organizations, including the Joslyn Art Museum, Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation, Omaha Development Foundation, the Horatio Alger Association, and the National Forest Association.
He also served as chairman of Level 3 Communications.
Philanthropy
Ranked consistently among the wealthiest individuals in the United States, Scott co-established the Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation alongside his wife Suzanne. The foundation has contributed significantly to projects such as the Scott Atrium & Education Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha’s Scott Technology Center, and The Summit: Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve.
In response to Warren Buffett’s Giving Pledge in 2010, Scott committed to bequeathing his remaining assets to his foundation after his death. In 2011, he pledged $10 million toward Engineering II, a $70 million interdisciplinary building at Colorado State University dedicated to programs in energy, environment, and health.
In 2016, Scott made a historic $53.3 million donation to Colorado State University’s School of Engineering—the largest gift ever received by CSU—leading to its renaming as the Walter Scott Jr. College of Engineering, making it Colorado’s only named engineering college.
Collector
In 1996, Scott purchased for his personal collection the original sales document associated with the Louisiana Purchase.
Honors and awards
Having earned Eagle Scout status in 1946, Scott was honored with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. In 1991, he received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement and later hosted their 1998 Achievement Summit in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Personal life
Scott's second spouse, Suzanne (née Marshall; 1930–2013), was a longtime friend of his first wife, Carolyn Jane (née Falk; 1932–1983), though she had not met Walter before their marriage in 1987 at Countryside Community Church. Suzanne passed away in 2013 at age 83.
Walter Scott died on September 25, 2021, aged 90.