Thursday ObitsCoyote |
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Master and Commander Posts: 1239 Location: NE Florida | Subject: Thursday Obits https://www.facebook.com/ussvi.eternalpatrol/ The above link goes to the USSVI (United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.) Facebook page where their members who have gone on “Eternal Patrol” are noted. I’ll keep my work here going, trying to get others who were not USSVI members. You’re encouraged to look there as well as here! Obviously, there’ll be some I miss and some I duplicate. WALTHER .. .. .. Peter Walther, 95, Submariner. College Prof. Rural Fireman. Scout Master. Cold Warrior. Lay Reader. Volunteer. A life in service. Peter Eugene Walther wore many hats during his 95 years. Born on Christmas Day, 1929, in the tiny town of Healdsburg, California to Louis Remy Walther and Maxine Harriet Wing at the beginning of the Great Depression, his family moved often as his father pursued work as a journalist. The early years took the family as far afield as El Paso, Texas and Mexico City, where his father studied the economics of Latin America. Peter attended ten different schools growing up but always spent summers on the family farm in the Sonoma Valley. In his junior year of high school, faced with repeating Spanish class for the third time or joining the Navy, he opted for the service. That began a twenty-year career where he rose through the ranks to Lieutenant. His first nine years were spent as an electronics specialist aboard submarines stationed in California; Key West, Florida, and Charleston, South Carolina; with side trips to the Mediterranean and as far off as Pakistan. The remainder of his career was spent in the Washington, DC area working intelligence gathering for the National Security Agency. Early in his career, he married Valerie Jean Walther (neé Yule) and together they brought three sons into the world, Peter, James and Jonathan. Upon retiring from the Navy in 1967, Peter and his family moved to Valerie's hometown, Missoula, MT, and he attended the University of Montana where he earned a BA in Secondary Education and took graduate courses in Education, Mathematics and Computer Science. He also found time to serve as a rural fireman, a scout master, an electronic repairman, and as a lay reader at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Missoula. After graduating, he taught grade school locally at Hellgate Grade School, high school in Whitehall and Harlem, MT and finished his career teaching Math and Computer Science at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, MT. After retiring from formal teaching, Peter and his second wife, Noel Trinity settled in Polson, MT where he was active in St. Andrews Episcopal Church, the Kiwanis Club of Polson, the Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation, and he gave anonymously to various charities and non-profits in the Polson area. In the summer of 2024, Peter and Noel moved back to Missoula and lived at the Village Senior Living Residence where Noel still resides. He died on June 20, 2025, at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula. Peter was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Maxine Walther and his first wife Valerie Walther. He is survived by his wife Noel, his brothers Jim Walther, Tony Walther, and sister Sharon Smith, his three sons Peter (Jaci), James, Jonathan (Doris), grandchildren Jesse Caton, Kalen Walther, Raina Storud, Dane Groves and great grandchildren Braden Caton, Avery Caton, Stetson Storud, and Dutton Storud. The family would like to thank Sally Meier for her extraordinary care and dedication to Peter in Polson and Missoula. MCDONELL .. .. .. Michael McDonell, age 65, of Macomb, Michigan, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2025. Born on May 15, 1960, in Middletown, Ohio, to the late Ronald McDonell and the late Sandra (nee: Achberger) McDonell. Michael lived a life marked by dedication, curiosity, and love. Mike attended Edgewood Senior High School and in his junior year wrote an essay which was chosen from a pool over 20,000 Boys State participants to attend Boy’s Nation. He was one of two delegates to represent the state of Ohio as a Boy’s Nation Student Senator. It is an annual forum concerning civic training, government, leadership, and Americanism making it one of the most selective educational programs in the United States. The delegates attend a week-long event in Washington, DC funded by scholarships. Mike graduated Edgewood Senior High School in 1978 and went on to study at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he received a scholarship with the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC). In addition to their chosen academic majors, all midshipmen complete eight Naval Science courses designed to build a solid foundation of professional knowledge. Mikes advanced subject was nuclear engineering. In addition to his studies, he was a Resident Advisor and Assistant Hall Director. His commitment to service led him to the United States Navy where he completed rigorous training through the Navy Nuclear Power School. To graduate he was interviewed by Hyman G. Rickover who is known as the "Father of the Nuclear Navy," for nuclear marine propulsion and his influence on the Navy, its warships and submarines. This was a prestigious honor in itself. Mike went on to complete Nuclear Prototype Program, and the U.S. Navy Submarine Officer School’s Leadership and Management Training in 1983. His life in the Navy took him to exotic ports of call which contributed to his love of travel. Later, he continued his education at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, earning credits toward his bachelor’s degree in 1994. Michael’s professional career was as diverse and impressive as his interests. He served in roles ranging from engineering officer, to account and district sales manager and received many prestigious awards in shapes of various animals made of precious metals. He was also a senior program engineer, and eventually a devoted home healthcare provider. His technical talents also extended into his hobbies—he loved building computers for personal enjoyment, and home communication/internet/WIFI networks. But his passion was music. He collected over 7,0000 songs and most of the time when I came home from work or the store, he was in his office jamming to his tunes. He had the volume so loud I could here it through the walls of the office and laundry room into the garage. On October 31, 1992, Michael married the love of his life, Carol, at St. Sylvester Catholic Church in Warren, Michigan. Their 32-year marriage was a true partnership grounded in faith and filled with shared adventures. Together, they owned 30 cars, reflecting Michael’s lifelong passion for automobiles. The couple also shared a love for travel, with unforgettable trips to Hawaii, the Caribbean and South Carolina. Michael was a courteous and enthusiastic sports fan and television viewer. He especially enjoyed the Bosch series, FBI, Law & Order, Battlestar Galactica, and the Star Trek series and films—particularly Deep Space Nine. While he and Carol never had the opportunity to own pets, Michael had a deep affection for animals and a gentle spirit that endeared him to all who knew him. Above all, Michael was a man of faith. His and Carol’s marriage was a testament to their shared devotion to each other and to God. Known as a big teddy bear, Michael’s warmth, kindness, and strength left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know him. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. He was the beloved husband of Carol. Devoted of Karen (George) Rolfe, Kate, Kevin (Stephanie), Sean (Anne), Patrick (Tara), Brian (Christy) McDonell, Colleen (Brad) Johansen, Mary Ann (Daniel) Harner. Uncle of Liam, Graeme (Morgan), Hannah, Olivia, Andrew, Emma, Houck, Matthew, Alexander, Megan, Abigail, Zachary, Noah (Katie), Riley, Braden, Connor (Aubrey), Jordan, Augustus, Gabriel, Cameron, and Celeste. Great Uncle of Tadhg, Aneurin, Brooklyn, Colton, Jackson, Callan, Charley, and the late Elliot. Michael is nephew to his Godmother Toni (Walt) Luker, Irene (Alred) Kurtenbach, the late Norma (Marvin) Fisher, the late Mary Ann Achberger, and to the late Godfather Don (Gretchen) Achberger. CUMMINGS .. .. .. Dover Stewart Cummings, 89, of 56 Piscataqua Road, died on Sunday, June 29th, 2025, surrounded by the love of family and friends. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered for his kindness, sense-of humor, ingenuity, and love for his family and friends. Born on New Year's Eve in 1935 to Ruth and Phillip Cummings in Malden, Massachusetts, Stewart enjoyed a happy, adventurous childhood with his sister, Janet. He biked the streets of Boston and out onto Cape Cod, played the rope trick on unsuspecting motorists in Malden, and competed in school and church basketball leagues, even once playing on the famed parquet floor of the old Boston Garden. He spent summers on Martha's Vineyard helping his Aunt Gert, where his love of the coast first took root. Stewart graduated from Malden High School in 1953. He entered the Navy, having started the Naval Reserve while still in high school, and served 4 years including as a plankowner (a member of the commissioning crew) on the USS Sailfish (SSR-572), a radar picket submarine. His life changed forever when he met his soulmate and life partner, Muriel Zinck, in 1956, who was working at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard at the time. Stewart and Muriel were married in 1958 and built a joyful life together in Dover, New Hampshire and Kittery Point, Maine. Stewart was an engineer, graduating from Wentworth Institute in 1955, and had a life-long fascination with how things worked. He worked for over 40 years at Davidson Rubber and its successor companies, helping build the business through multiple ownership changes, serving as a draftsman, project engineer and all-around problem solver. He had many friends at work for whom he would do anything and who would do the same for him. He enjoyed the final chapter of his career at Rokon in Rochester. Stewart and Muriel raised three sons whom they supported in every endeavor. Stewart assured they got a great education and provided an amazing role model for them in how to be a father and husband. "Grampa Stew" was adored by his eight grandchildren. He loved spending time with them building things, fixing things or simply supporting whatever new thing they were into. He attended many a practice, game, performance, graduation and countless other events, always in loving support of his kids and their families. He was always eager to share his culinary talents, putting on lobster bakes and happily helping his grandchildren with the making of pies, cookies, cakes, and Maine blueberry jam. Stewart and Muriel were early enthusiasts of modern design and architecture. They shared a keen aesthetic and built two homes, one with their own hands on Gerrish Island, Maine. Stewart loved jazz, blaring Cuban music, and the blues whenever he had the chance. He was an old-school gentleman who made quick friends wherever he went, never minded holding his wife's pocketbook while they shopped, happily offering fashion advice, and could climb a sailboat mast in the middle of the ocean to fix rigging even with a lacerated hand. Until several weeks ago, there were very few people you could count on more if you needed help with an engine that wouldn't start or a stubborn pickle jar that wouldn't open. Stewart had a lifelong love of the sea. He sailed on the sloop Windspirit, swam, and kayaked extensively off the Maine coast. Late in life, he took up rowing alongside his grandchildren and placed second in his age group at the World Indoor Rowing Championships in 2016. He also went undefeated in more than a decade of January Cummings family rowing challenges. A lifelong environmentalist, he took quiet pride in sustainable living. Together with his wife and neighbors, he helped found Community Action for Sensible Roadways, an organization dedicated to protecting New Hampshire's Great Bay. Later in life, Stewart returned to Martha's Vineyard, where he had spent many joyful childhood summers, sharing the island's beauty with his sons, Derek and Neil, their families and his cherished friend Sylvia 'Sybbie' Warren, whom he adored. Stewart loved his weekly dinners with his extended family, Sylvia, Jan and Ronald Furbush. These were his support group, friend group and pals later in life. Stewart is survived by his three sons and their families: Dana and Jennifer Cummings of Pittsburgh, PA; Neil and Tracy Cummings of St. Joseph's, Michigan; and Derek and Evangeline Cummings of Baltimore, Maryland. He is also survived by eight grandchildren; Luke, Andrew, Ben, Sarah, Lily, Mia, Thomas and Nicholas; his sister, Janet Cassidy of Medfield, MA; sisters-in-law Sylvia Warren and Janet Furbush; brother-in-law Ronald Furbush and nephews, Joel and David Cassidy. He was predeceased by his parents and his wife, Muriel Eleanor Cummings. HERBEIN .. .. .. William "Bill" Herbein, 77, of Murrysville, passed away on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at Redstone Highlands in Murrysville. He was born on June 7, 1948, the son of the late Woodrow S. and Grace (Croll) Herbein of Reading. Bill is survived by Jacqueline Clement Herbein, his wife of 51 years; a sister, Ann (Sterling) Snyder of Reading, PA; a brother, David (Terry) Herbein of York, Maine; and seven nieces and nephews. Bill earned both BS and MS degrees in civil engineering from Lehigh University in Bethlehem and an MS degree in industrial engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. After four years in the Navy, where he served as an officer aboard the submarine USS Sand Lance, SSN 660, he spent the remainder of his career working at Alcoa Laboratories. He was a well-respected manager of the Product Design and Mechanics Division when he took early retirement in 2002. Prior to retirement, Bill trained and successfully competed in dog agility trials with his beloved shelties. After retirement, he formed Four Paws Performance Training, LLC, where he continued to effectively teach and support novice handlers in the sport that he loved. Together with his wife, Bill especially enjoyed multiple extended bicycle vacations in the US, Canada, and Europe, as well as attending and supporting the Pittsburgh Symphony. A memorial service for Bill will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in the chapel at Redstone Highlands in Murrysville. Interment in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Shetland Sheepdog Foundation/Sheltie Rescue, c/o Al Bianchi, 2012 Inland Cove, Virginia Beach, VA 23454-1419 | ||
