NEWPORT NEWS - Leonard P. Waltz, P.E., 84, died Tuesday, November 3, 2015, in his home, surrounded by family. Leonard was born on May 6, 1931 in Fairmont, West Virginia, the son of the late Leonard and Irene Waltz. He proudly served his country in the U. S. Navy from 1950-1954 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from West Virginia University in 1958. He married the former Mary Jo Polino, his beloved wife of 58 years, and has resided in Newport News for the past 56 years. Mr. Waltz, a Professional Engineer, was employed by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company as a Project Engineer and Electrical Design Supervisor from 1959-1971. He founded Leonard P. Waltz and Associates, Consulting Engineers and then founded Spiers and Waltz, Consulting Engineers, P.C., serving as President until his retirement in 1998. Leonard has been described by his associates in business as challenging, diligent and honest and has made a significant and long standing contribution to engineering on the peninsula. For his many professional accomplishments, he was selected Peninsula Engineer of the Year and Virginia State Engineer of the Year in 1996. He was an active member of the following: Society of American Military Engineers (Past President), Va Society of Professional Engineers (Past President), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (Past President), Illuminating Engineers Society, Engineers Club of the VA Peninsula, Peninsula Engineers Council, NN Zoning Board of Appeals-Engineering Representative, NN Rotary Club, American Legion Post 25, Chesapeake Hunt Club (Past President), West Virginia University Alumni (Tidewater Chapter), Wildwood Point Association - Lake Gaston and Meals on Wheels volunteer. Leonard was also a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church since 1960 and a charter member/4th Degree of the Walter Pollard-Knights of Columbus Council 5480. Leonard thoroughly enjoyed all of his aforementioned associations but especially enjoyed his time spent at the Chesapeake Hunt Club with his hunting buddies, sons and grandsons and his many, many summers spent with his friends and family at Lake Gaston. In addition to Mary Jo, he is survived by his five children, Thomas P. Waltz and wife, Janis; Joyce Ann Foretich and husband, Steve; Christopher Waltz and wife, Becky; Susanne Waltz; and Mary Kay Avis and husband, Michael. Also surviving are eight grandsons, Anthony and Travis Waltz, Kyle, Matthew and Daniel Waltz and Nicholas, Alexander and Benjamin Avis; two sisters, Sister Joyce Ann Waltz, CSJ; Peggy Finnerin and husband, Daniel and a brother in law, James Polino, along with a host of nieces, nephews and extended family. The family would like to thank the many doctors, nurses and care givers, especially, Nancy Williams and Angelic Allen, for their love and compassion during the past few years. The family will receive friends on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015 from 5-8 pm at Weymouth Funeral Home. A Knights of Columbus Chalice Service will take place from 5:00-5:15pm at the funeral home on Friday. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church with burial immediately following at Peninsula Memorial Park.
Funeral Home
Weymouth Funeral Home
12746 Nettles Drive Newport News, VA 23606
757-930-2222
Published in Daily Press on Nov. 5, 2015
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