COUNCIL #8077 - ROY CHAMPEAU REMEMBERS |
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Walter A. Hartz 92, of Tucson, Arizona, peacefully passed away on August 20, 2014. Walter was born June 25, 1922 in Akron, Ohio. A graduate of Akron North High School, he served in the US Navy in WWII. He studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Carolina. After the war, he joined American Hard Rubber and he lived for a few years in Butler, New Jersey. After returning to Akron, he continued with American Hard Rubber. He, later, joined General Tire and Rubber Company. During this time, he used his technical and analytical skills in the country's Cold War efforts. He is named in a U.S. patent for an ablative coating for solid fuel rocket engines, to keep them from burning up. The rocket motors placed satelites into space which still operate in today's communications. He married Florence (Dougherty) on July 4, 1946. Together, he and Florence raised a family and were actively involved in St. Joseph Parish, the Cursillo program, Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) Search, the Lay Franciscans (Third Order) and Loyola of the Lakes Jesuit Retreat House, where he was Business Manager. He was a charter member of St. Eugene's Church in Cuyahoga Falls, served as lector, Eucharistic minister and choir member and continued his service to the church after Florence's death in 1982. After retiring from General Tire and Rubber Company in 1986 after 32 years of service, Walter moved to Tucson, AZ to join his daughter, Mary. There he enjoyed travel, sunshine, and the companionship of his second wife, Stella (Richko), who passed away in 1998. He became a volunteer in Hospice at Tucson Medical Center and was an active member of Saint Elizabeth Anne Seton Catholic Church. He was captain and a first degree member in New Jersey and a first degree member in Tucson (Council No. 8077) in the Knights of Columbus. Walter loved fine dining; a good, dry, gin martini with olivesss; and caramel frappucinos at the local Barnes and Noble. He enjoyed photography, music, travel and the study of theology and his Catholic faith. He was dedicated to his family and to the service of others. He is survived by brother, Roy (Mary) Hartz; his daughters, Eileen Hartz of Cuyahoga Falls, OH and Mary Hartz-Musgrave of Tucson, AZ; son, William (Theresia) Hartz of Cuyahoga Falls, OH and grandchildren, Katherine Hartz-Musgrave of Phoenix, AZ and Nathan Hartz of Cuyahoga Falls, OH. Walter is preceded in death by his parents, Walter P. and Marie Hartz; his brothers, Raymond, Thomas and George Hartz and sisters, Dorothy Everett and Martha Vance. |