Richard F Walter (Jan 29, 1935 – Dec 25, 2019)
Richard F. Walter of New Vernon passed away peacefully after a long illness on December 25, 2019 at the age of 84 years.
Richard was predeceased by his beloved wife of 46 years, Dolores Moscatelli Walter in September of 2004. Devoted father of Lisa Ellis and her husband, Chuck, of Madison, Perianne Walter and her partner, Bart Mallory of Long Valley, Bryan Walter and his wife, Kerry, of Mendham Township, the late Susan Walter of New Vernon, Andrea Waresk and her husband, Michael, of New Vernon, and Stephen Walter, of Lawrenceville. Brother of Rose Marie Mayer of Maine, and the late Ruth Walter Laing of Morristown.
He was the beloved grandfather of Zachary, Jordan, Noah, Mackenzie and Victoria Ellis, Cassidy, Maggie and Natalie Walter, Spencer, Anna, Olivia and Ian Waresk, and Graham and Greta Walter. He is also survived by an extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews. Richard was born to Richard G. and Margarete Rath Walter in Newark, New Jersey on January 29, 1935. He was raised in Maplewood, graduating from Columbia High School.
He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 to 1956.
He graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a degree in Landscape Architecture. Richard spent his career working as a Superintendent of Public Works for the towns of Maplewood, Bridgewater, and Morris Township. He retired in 2000.
He was a member of the Public Works Association of New Jersey (PWANJ) and served as president from 1987-88. In 1981 he was named the PWANJ Person of the Year and in 2004 received the Joseph W. Strauss Lifetime Achievement Award. Richard moved to New Vernon in 1961 and was an active volunteer until a few years ago when his health began to fail. He joined the New Vernon Fire Department in 1963, serving as Chief (1972-1974), President (1977 – 1978) and Trustee.
Richard was also a founding member of the Harding Township Recreation Association and a co-founder of the Shade Tree Advisory Committee. He also served on the township’s Juvenile Conference Committee and coached in the town’s youth softball program. He also served on the township’s Water Advisory Committee and the Redevelopment Advisory Committee. In 2003, the Harding Township Civic Association named Richard Distinguished Citizen of the Year for his lifetime commitment to volunteerism and civic pride.
Richard F Walter died on December 25, 2019.
The family requested that donations in his name may be made to the New Vernon Volunteer Fire Department Fund, PO Box 143 Village Road, New Vernon, NJ 07976-0143.
