General Welch was born in Hermosa Beach, California on 19 April 1925. After World War II service with the Office of Strategic Services, General Welch was commissioned a Quartermaster Officer upon graduating from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Accounting. He also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard University. His military schooling includes: The United States Army Command and General Staff College, The Armed Forces Staff College, and the United States Army War College.

General Welch’s last assignment was as Director of Materiel Management, Headquarters, United States Army Materiel Command in Alexandria Virginia. His other major command positions include: The United States Army Depot System Command, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; Chief, Supply and Maintenance Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Headquarters, United States Army-Europe (USAREUR); Kaiserslautern Army Depot Complex, USAREUR; Nahbollenbach Army Depot, USAREUR; Chief of Staff, US Army Materiel Command, USAREUR; Logistics Data Service Center, Vietnam; and the 95^th Supply and Services Battalion, Fuerth, Germany. General Welch’s significant contributions to the Quartermaster Corps are numerous. He was a major contributor to the following programs, all of which have made a lasting effect on the Quartermaster Corps, and the Army: Total Package Fielding, Stock Funding Depot Level Reparables, Battle Damage Assessment and Repair, and National Inventory Accountability. General Welch’s most important contributions were in the area of depot operations where his newly introduced management tools allowed accurate measuring of efficiency and effectiveness for all Army depots.

General Welch’s awards and decorations include: the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (One Oak Leaf Cluster), the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. General Welch passed away on 13 September 1993.