Walter William Landgraf | Obituary

Walter Landgraf

Landgraf, Walter William, most recently of Ellisville, MO, born November 8, 1927 in the “birthing room” of his Grandfather Vogt’s former home in Columbia, IL to Walter Gustave and Virginia Otillia Landgraf (nee Vogt), died peacefully on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at the Ames Family Hospice House in Westlake, OH.  Beloved husband for nearly 62 years of the late Jean Marie Landgraf (nee Donovan).  Loving father of Steven (Jean) Landgraf of Lakewood, OH and the late Theresa “Terri” (survived by James) Lee of Ellisville, MO.  Dear grandfather of Valerie (Scott) Mason of Chicago, IL, Jennifer Huang of Ellisville, MO, Jalene Huang and partner Alex Monroe of Chicago, IL, and Jevon (Katie) Huang of Chicago, IL.  Dear brother of Nancy (Alan) Machmer of Lincoln, NE and the late Florine (Julian) Burks of Columbia, IL.  Great-grandfather, father-in-law, brother-in-law, great-uncle, uncle, cousin and friend.  A lifelong consummate master of “The Dash” by Linda Ellis, Copyright © Inspire Kindness 1996-2018, www.thedashpoem.com.

Walter, or “Walter Bob” as he was known in and around Columbia, IL, serendipitously met Jean (eternal gratitude to Lillian Ortman nee Toenjes and to the late Robert Donovan) on October 29, 1949 at a dance at Turner Hall in Columbia, IL.  Walter always maintained that it was a classic case of true love at first site for him.  They married on March 31, 1951 in chapel #10 of Fort Bliss, TX shortly after Walter began to serve in the United States Army during the Korean War.  They ultimately made their home for 45 years in Ballwin, MO.  Walter worked for McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) as a Systems Analyst for 30 years.  Walter and Jean traveled extensively throughout North America and abroad both before and after retiring in 1992.  Walter enjoyed photography (“Picture your memories!”), parades, puns, “playing at” playing the piano, Puccini (preferably without the words), reading, always learning new things, listening to classical music and the marches of John Philip Sousa, dancing, and singing many older religious hymns and the popular songs of his younger years, especially “Skylark” (Jean’s favorite) and “Danny Boy”.  He, just like Jean, loved animals, and fully shared her particularly strong love of dogs.  But above all, he loved and cherished his wife, his children and their families, his relatives, and his friends.  He lived a long and remarkably full, rich life and will be truly missed by all whose lives he touched.  And they were many.

Services:  Memorial Visitation will be held at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 15764 Clayton Road, Ellisville, MO on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. until the time of the Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m.  The family respectfully suggests that any memorial contributions for Walter be made to the Humane Society of Missouri or another charitable organization if preferred.  Plans for a Celebration of Life for Walter, to be held later in 2019, are pending.  A service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory.  Family and friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.

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