I am sad to report the passing of a fine man and a true Estonian patriot, Hannes Walter the director of the Laidoner Museum in Estonia.  While I never met the man in person I had had numerous email contacts with Dr. Walter over the past two years.  He was a fine man who was always willing to assist me in my research.  In fact he often went out of his way to assist me, and I was always most appreciative of his efforts.  He was all that a museum director should be, as he was there to assist those interested in learning about the military history of his country.  He was a true Estonian patriot and I will always remember him as such.  Estonia lost a fine son with his passing. –

Brent Snodgrass Owner Estonian Arms Dot Com

Below is a section taken from his museum site – informing of his passing.

In memory of

Hannes Walter, PhD

Director of Laidoner Museum

December 3, 1952 – November 26, 2004

Hannes Walter – in memoriam

The death of Hannes Walter, a distinguished military historian and director of the Laidoner Museum, on November 26, 2004 was a shock to his former and present colleagues and to his numerous friends both in Estonia and abroad.

Hannes was born on December 3, 1952 in Nõmme, Tallinn. Already when studying at the Nõmme secondary school, Hannes developed a deep interest towards history, especially military history. Like many youths of the time, spirit of opposition, which was strengthened by the fact that his own father had once worn a grey greatcoat, was distinctive of him. Hannes was enthusiastic about the Estonian War of Independence and it’s heroes and started to gather material about this extraordinary period.

After graduation from high school there was no doubt about his choice of profession. He started to study history at Tartu Universtiy and set to work at the Institute of History. He graduated cum laude in 1978.

Hannes has been at the birth of many important institutions and associations. With his close friends he was the founding father of the Estonian Ministry of Defence, where he worked as Chancellor, the Estonian Heritage Society, the Estonian War Graves League, Estonian Security Service, etc.

Hannes has published and edited many important books discussing the difficult subject of Estonian history: ‘Honestly and Openly of the Landeswehr War’, ‘Estonian Badges of Merit’, ‘They Followed Order. The Faith of Estonian Officers’, to mention a few.

Already during the days of Estonia regaining independence, Hannes was certain, that this country, as all other respectful countries, should have a war museum of her own. His plans finally came true when the Estonian War Museum – the Laidoner Museum – was opened on March 1, 2001. Hannes became its first director and was definitely the right man at the right post: with few years a great deal of work under his supervision was done.

In the memories of his numerous friends, Hannes will always live as a hard working, devoted, helpful and optimistic person.

His life work is left unfinished – this shall be the task of his comrades in arms.