Welty is Hobie’s business partner and Pippa’s uncle (and guardian, following Juliet’s death). He dies in the terrorist attack at the Met. While he is dying, Theo finds him, and Welty gives Theo his ring and tells him to take The Goldfinch. Although Theo never really got a chance to know Welty, after his death he learned that Welty was extremely caring, kind, and charismatic, and that he was a highly skilled antiques salesman. Theo comes to believe that Welty’s “energy” remains with him ever since his death, and that this is why Theo himself develops a love of—and skill at—selling antiques.