William “Bill” Waldo, 79, beloved IAVM member, died on Sept. 27, 2026, in Cape Coral, Fla.
Waldo was born on Nov. 22, 1946, to Frances and Douglas Waldo of Kansas City, Mo. He served in the U.S. Air Force, a stint that his daughter Stephanie Martin said, “undoubtedly prepared him for a lifetime of commanding both boardrooms and boat decks.”
His career began in 1969 working for Hoover Brothers, selling school equipment to the state of Nebraska. Ten years later, Waldo moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., to work for Country Roads, where he began his career in the auditorium and arena industry., and was introduced to IAVM (then-IAAM). Waldo was promoted to director of major projects at Irwin Seating Company in 2002, where he ensured that “sports fans everywhere had a comfortable place to park their backsides,” Martin said.
An active and deeply respected member of IAVM, Waldo was highly regarded as a trusted partner and innovative collaborator. He dedicated himself to building connections between allied partners to create a more inclusive association for all stakeholders. He received the IAVM Distinguished Allied Award (now known as the Joseph J. Anzivino Distinguished Allied Award) in 1998 for his extraordinary contributions to the industry. In 2012, he received the IAVM Foundation Legacy Award, honoring his lasting impact on the IAVM Foundation and the advancement of the venue industry.
In an IAVM press release announcing the Legacy Award, Waldo said, “I would not be as successful in my career without IAVM programs. To which many of those programs have been funded and were generated through funds from companies and individuals who have made significant donations to the Foundation. If not for the support from the Foundation, we would not have an Association nor would many of us be where we are today.”
In the same press release, GFS Associates President Mitch Sauers said, “Bill is a true unsung hero in our industry. For years, he has gone above and beyond in representing the Foundation by coordinating and personally taking the lead on one of the Foundation’s largest fundraisers.”
It was also through IAVM that Waldo met his wife, Barbara, in 1996.
Outside work, his daughter, Heather Laukka, said he was at his happiest on the water. “He loved nothing more than chasing fish and navigating the water, whether braving the swells of Lake Michigan or happily motoring around the sunny canals of Cape Coral at a leisurely pace,” she said.
Waldo leaves behind a masterclass in living life to the fullest. He is survived by his beloved wife and first mate Barbara; his daughters, Stephanie and Heather; his son, Scott; his brother, Bob; and a small army of grandchildren whom he absolutely adored.
The family is holding a private celebration of life in Kansas City in November. Memories and condolences can be shared here.
