03/06/2026
Walter Robert Bohlin, 79, of Jonesborough, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at his
home on February 25, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on
December 6, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York, to Edith and Walter Bohlin.
Growing up in Brooklyn, Walter developed an early fascination with machinery and
electronics. He attended Brooklyn Technical High School, graduating in 1964, where his
natural talent for engineering first began to emerge. Choosing to pursue his passion
directly, Walter began a career in broadcast engineering, working with local television
and radio stations before being hired in the late 1960s by ABC Television as an audio
engineer.
In 1970, Walter married Carol Smythe, and together they raised three sons. The family
first lived in Staten Island, New York, before relocating to Tinmouth, Vermont, where
Walter served as Chief Engineer at WSYB in Rutland.
In 1980, Walter returned to ABC in New York as a Broadcast Systems Engineer. He
later became Director of Engineering and worked on numerous special projects for the
ABC Television Network and WABC-TV. His work included developing sophisticated
data systems for election results and designing timing and scoring interfaces for the
1980, 1984, and 1988 Olympic Games. During his years working with ABC and later
with FOX, Walter’s innovative contributions to broadcast engineering were recognized
with three Emmy Awards.
In 1990, Walter left ABC to establish his own company, Logical Computer Systems.
Drawing on his extensive expertise in election data systems and sports timing
interfaces, he collaborated with major broadcasters including ABC, CBS, WNET, and
FOX to enhance their coverage of the Olympics, election returns, figure skating scoring
system, NASCAR, and the NFL. Among his many professional accomplishments,
Walter designed a universal scoreboard interface for FOX’s NFL broadcasts, enabling
the iconic “FOX Box” on-screen graphics that have since become a standard feature in
sports broadcasting. His two sons, Ron and Tim, worked alongside him at Logical
Computer Systems, making the company not only a professional endeavor but also a
family collaboration.
Walter relocated to Weare, New Hampshire, in 1998, where he later met his wife,
Xiandi. The two were married in 2005 and soon after moved to Rincon, Georgia. There,
Walter served as Chief Engineer at WJCL in Savannah before retiring to Jonesborough,
Tennessee, with his beloved wife, Xiandi.
Above all, Walter was a devoted father, husband, and grandfather. He was a brilliant
engineer, a mentor to many, and a loyal friend. His curiosity, determination, and sense
of humor left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.
Walter is survived by his wife, Xiandi Li of Jonesborough, Tennessee; three sons,
Ronald Bohlin of Concord, New Hampshire; Timothy Bohlin (Danielle Patrick) of
Williston, Vermont; and William Bohlin (Mila Bohlin) of Hillsborough, New Hampshire;
and their mother, Carol Bohlin of Tinmouth, Vermont. He is also survived by his
grandchildren, Olivia Bohlin of Portland, Maine; Tyler Bohlin (Shawna Reed) of Quincy,
Massachusetts; and great-granddaughter Lucy Bohlin. He was predeceased by his
parents and his sister, Ruth Bohlin.
A service is planned for June in Tinmouth, Vermont.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Walter’s memory to the Scott Hamilton
CARES Foundation, www.scottcares.org
Walter’s legacy lives on not only through his family, but also through the innovations he
brought to broadcast television—many of which continue to be seen by millions around
the world.
