FRED R. WALTER Fred R. Walter, age 97, born August 30, 1915, died at home in Glen Ellyn on March 30, 2013. He was the first son of Friedrich J. and Mathilde (F. Krehl) Walter who emigrated to the USA from M u nsingen, Wurttemberg, Germany, at the turn of the century and in 1903 settled in Fort Lee, NJ. While at Fort Lee High, Fred watched the cables being spun for the George Washington Bridge to Manhattan. He was offered a full scholarship to Princeton, but chose the University of Michigan, stayed to earn his master 's degree in chemical engineering, and was hired by then Standard Oil of Indiana in Whiting (now British Petroleum). Rearing his children in Lansing IL, Fred worked on aviation gasoline in WWII, and was sent to Italy and Australia on oil costing projects as he retired from Amoco in 1976, then a supervisor of Operations Analysis. Fred played the flute in early years, sang in school and church choirs, and enjoyed golf, skiing, ballroom dancing, and photography. In his family, it was known he could fix anything. Remarrying in late 1977, Fred volunteered as treasurer of the G E Food Pantry, as well as at the First United Methodist Church where he also served as trustee and was active in Tandem Club and RAMBO. Fred 's warmth and caring will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Cecil Swett Walter, his brother Edward L. (Virginia) Walter of West Grove PA, his children: Gary F. (Marlis) Walter of Missoula MT and Gail C. Abbott of Spokane WA; stepchildren: Valerie C. Swett (Frank) Nigh of Andover MA, Norman Cecil (Natalie) Swett of Minneapolis MN, Katie C. (Eugene) Swett and Daniel C. Swett, both of Eugene OR, and Laurel C. Swett of Wheaton IL; his grandchildren: Paul Abbott, Elizabeth, Katherine (Danny) Ray, Sarah, David, and Anna Walter; his step grands: Samuel Nigh, Christine N. (Jonathan) Presler, Jenilyn Swett, Joanna Swett, Jesse Treon, Ruth (Cory) Treon, Skye Swett, and Althea Swett; as well as six nieces and four nephews. Fred was pre-deceased by his sisters Rosina M. Walter, Lillian H. Walter, and Claire L. (Roy) Beck. Family and friends will meet Saturday, April 13, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church, 424 Forest Ave., Glen Ellyn IL 60137, for a memorial service at 11 o 'clock to be followed by a simple luncheon there for all. Memorial gifts to the church, in lieu of flowers, would be appreciated. For Further information call Leonard Memorial Home 630-469-0032.
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1 Entry
I first met Fred the day I started as a young chemical engineer at the Whiting Refinery in 1952 and was there at his retirement from Amoco Chemical in the 1970s. Our paths crossed frequently. He was a kind and wonderful person and a fine chemical engineer.
Bill Prindiville
April 15, 2013
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