Tuesday, October 16, 2012
I first met Walt in the 1990’s thru the South Jersey S Gaugers train club to which we are members. It was during the club get-togethers that I came to know Walt, as the hobbyist, the modeler, the skilled artisan, the craftsman, and the technician. I found Walt to be the consummate teacher, the guru to go to with my modeling questions and problems. When I asked Walt a question, you could see the thought process taking place before the answer was given. There would be a pause and then Walt would humbly give an answer. I say humbly because that was Walt, never over bearing, never condescending, always thoughtful and always humble, always easy and steady as she goes. I knew I was the student but he never let on that he was the teacher. He was always your equal and never your superior. That’s why I liked Walt, with those qualities of character; you couldn’t help but like him.
During the past months several of us from the club spent some time helping Walt with his train layout. While we made the calculations and performed the labored it was with Walt’s design and insight. While working on the layout I could hear in his words that he wanted it up and running as much for his grandchildren as for himself. I believe that this toy train layout was part of his legacy to his family, especially his grandchildren. It would be a way for him to enjoy their company while he was living and for them to remember him by when he passed. They could enjoy and be fascinated with the toys and hobby he was fascinated with and enjoyed as a child and as an adult.
I could also see that Walt left a much greater legacy to his family and grandchildren. I could see that Walt was a loving, caring, humble family man more than anything else. He was a husband, a father and a grandparent to be proud of.
Earlier I said Walt and I are members of the South Jersey S Gaugers because I know Walt will always be at our meetings, and our club gathering. And I know that he will always be there for his loving wife Betty Jane, his children, Jill and Jeff and his grandchildren.
