Plankowner
Posts: 5024
Location: Gulfport, MS | Subject: Obit Messenger results for 06/11/08.
BALLENBERGER, Walter B., 84, passed away on June 7, 2008. Walt was born in 1924 to William and Johanna Ballenberger, both immigrants from Germany, in Richmond Hill N.Y. An excellent student, he skipped two grades and graduated from high school at the age of 16. He pursued studies in engineering at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa, and it was there that he met the love of his life and devoted partner, Jean Rita Gallagher. His college career was interrupted by an enlistment in the U.S. Navy during WWII, and he served on submarine duty in the Pacific theater. He never dwelled much on that experience, but his son recalls him saying that hearing and feeling depth charges explode nearby was frightening. After the war he returned to Lehigh and married Jean, herself returning to Bethlehem after studies in Washington, D.C. and now a registered nurse. Walt's career started as the engineer for WFIL radio station in Philadelphia, Pa. This short show biz stint ended when he accepted an engineering position with the Sperry Corp. in Great Neck, NY. Walt career with Sperry lasting 38 years. He and Jean were residents of the valley since 1959, with the exception of four years in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Walt and Jean relocated back to the Phoenix area in 1985, and he retired from Sperry in 1986. He subsequently enjoyed 22 years of retirement life, playing golf with friends, tending his large garden and providing neighbors with fresh vegetables, and watching his children grow and build their own families. In addition to raising five children he was both a cub scout and boy scout leader. Walt was preceded in death by his only sibling, William Ballenberger. His last seven months were a struggle to overcome the effects of a massive stroke to which he eventually succumbed. He spent his final days back at home surrounded by his loving family and friends. He is survived by his wife Jean of 63 years; children Walter, Jr. (Linda) of Colorado, Jeanne Hopper (Mark) of California, and Joanne Stolze (Patrick), Susan Hibler (Steve), and Anne irchgessner (Jim), all residents of the Phoenix area; 13 grandchildren: Scott Hibler and Stephanie Peyton (Hibler), Megan and Brian Kirchgessner, Tim Hopper, Tracy Shoemaker (Hopper), Tricia Wynn (Hopper), and Teri Hopper, Allison Wilson (Stolze), Andrea Christopherson (Stolze) and Amy Stolze, and Jay Ballenberger and Kristina Valtierra (Ballenberger): 6 great-grandchildren: Myles and Carter Valtierra, Sarah Beth Peyton, Eva Wilson, Caleb Wynn, and Katie Shoemaker. "We will miss you, dad, but you will always be with us." Services to be held on Thursday, June 12, at 10:30 a.m. at Messenger Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School Rd., Scottsdale. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to one or more of the following: Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC) 602-340-8717, Foundation for Blind Children (FBC- www.seeitourway.org), Hospice of the Valley 602-287-7000.
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Obit Messenger results for 06/11/08.
