Walter Salzer (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Walter Salzer, son of Phillip and Rosina Hirsh Salzer, was born July 15, 1925, Pierre, South Dakota. He departed this life Monday, December 20, 2010, in his home, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-five years, five months, and five days.
On May 26, 1950, he was united in marriage to Laverne Fish, and to this union one daughter and one son were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Lydia Peterhoff, Hattie Kulm, and Hilda Gamelgard.
Walter is survived by his wife, Laverne, of the home; a daughter, Cynthia Fields, and her husband, Shane, of Gulfport, Mississippi; a son, Bart L. Salzer, of Lebanon, Missouri; two grandchildren, Shane C. Truelove, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Cory D. Truelove, and his wife, Melissa, of San Antonio, Texas; two great-grandchildren, Sadie L. Truelove, of Bolivar, Missouri, and Sonny O. Truelove, of San Antonio, Texas; a sister, Clara Pederson, of Chandler, Arizona; a number of nieces and nephews; a sister-in-law, Evelyn Van Vugt, of Mobridge, South Dakota; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in a log cabin a few miles west of Pollock, South Dakota. At the age of six, he drove teams of horses for harvesting grain. After attending three years of high school, he purchased a service station and operated that for one year and then worked at the shipyards in Tacoma-Seattle, Washington. He served his country faithfully in the United States Navy from November 7, 1943, until February 3, 1946, and became an aircraft mechanic and plane captain on the flight line of Navy Fighter Bombers during World War II. After he and Laverne were married, they made their home in South Dakota and Walt worked as a carpenter for a few years. In 1950, he and Laverne moved to California, where their two children were born. Walter attended the Northrop Aeronautical Institute and received his A & E Civil Aeronautics Mechanic License. He worked for the Air Research Manufacturing Company, as they were expanding into the space program. He held the position of inspector of parts on the Rover that sits on the moon today. In 1965, the family moved to Lebanon, Missouri, and purchased a farm south of Lebanon, where they ran a successful dairy business for nine years. In 1974, they sold the farm and moved into town. Walt worked for Bill’s Farm and Home for a few years, and then worked for Meek’s Lumber for fifteen years. During this time, he also built duplexes with his wife, and ran a Sharpening Service for the community.
Walter attended White Oak Pond Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he and Laverne built the stained glass windows that adorn the church today.
In his spare time he enjoyed building beautiful furniture pieces that were truly a labor of love. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Walter was a truly great husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. We love you and will miss you. You have been called to Heaven to help the Lord watch over all of us here on earth. We now have another bright star shining brightly in the sky above.
What’s your fondest memory of Walter?
What’s a lesson you learned from Walter?
Share a story where Walter's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Walter you’ll never forget.
How did Walter make you smile?