Celebrating Viorel “Wally” Stirbu: Top of the World at 75

ROCO Chicago invites you to celebrate a remarkable member of our community: Viorel “Wally” Stirbu — retired Chicago Fire Department engineer, proud Romanian-American, and now the oldest Romanians to summit Mount Everest and complete the Seven Summits Challenge.

On May 18, 2026, at the age of 75, Wally reached the summit of Mount Everest, standing at 8,849 meters, the highest point on Earth. At the top, he held the Romanian and American flags — a powerful image for all of us who know what it means to carry more than one home in our hearts.

This achievement is extraordinary by any measure. But for our community, it feels personal. Wally’s story speaks to courage, discipline, resilience, and the kind of quiet determination that inspires people across generations.

We are honored to welcome him home and celebrate this moment together.

Event Details

Date: June 20, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: ROCO Chicago

The event is a community gathering to honor Wally’s journey, recognize his historic achievement, and celebrate the pride he brought to both the Romanian and American flags.

About Wally

Viorel “Wally” Stirbu is a retired Chicago Fire Department engineer, a lifelong adventurer, and a proud Romanian-American whose story has touched many of us.

At 75, Wally reached the summit of Mount Everest and completed the Seven Summits Challenge — climbing the highest peak on every continent. It is the kind of accomplishment that requires years of preparation, physical strength, mental endurance, and a deep commitment to the goal.

But beyond the numbers and the records, Wally’s journey reminds us of something simple and powerful: it is never too late to dream boldly, work hard, and keep climbing.

A Proud Romanian-American Moment

When Wally stood at the top of the world with the Romanian and American flags, he carried a piece of all of us with him.

For those of us in the Romanian-American community, that image means something. It speaks about heritage, gratitude, sacrifice, and belonging. It reminds us that our stories are shaped by where we come from, where we build our lives, and the people who walk beside us along the way.

Wally’s climb is his achievement — but the pride it brings is shared by an entire community.

Why We Are Gathering

We are gathering because moments like this should always be marked!

We are gathering to say thank you.To celebrate courage. To honor perseverance.To show our children and young people what determination can look like at any age.

Wally’s achievement is not only about reaching the highest mountain in the world - it is also about the long road, the difficult days, the discipline, and the heart it takes to keep going.

At ROCO Chicago, we believe in writing stories that carry our legacy forward. Join us!