Jake Walter, 90, of Southborough, died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.
He was the beloved husband of Margo (Findley) Walter for over 67 years.
Born at home, he was the son of the late Harry and Nell (Griswold) Walter and lived in Lenox, Iowa until age four. Through the Great Depression his family lived on a farm in Diagonal Ia. without running water or electricity. Jake went to school in a one-room schoolhouse there until sixth grade when the family returned to Lenox. After graduating from Lenox High School in 1950 Jake enlisted the US Air Force, serving in Germany as weather observer and forecaster until 1954.
His duties to country fulfilled, Jake attended Iowa State College on the G.I. Bill, where he earned a degree in Ceramic Engineering. He was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. During a Thanksgiving break in his freshman year while running an errand with a fraternity brother, Jake met the love of his life Margo Findley. After a whirlwind romance they married in August, 1955. Margo and Jake lived in Des Moines until his graduation in 1958, when he was hired by Norton Co. (Saint Gobain). Work took them to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Illinois before settling in Southborough in 1966. Having a full career at Norton, he retired in 1998 as North American Sales Director for Saint Gobain Ceramics – High Performance Refractories
Jake was an avid outdoorsman and golfer. His passion for golf saw him taking his clubs on many business trips and he played his local course almost every day. He enjoyed daily walks and loved returning to the Midwest for pheasant hunting and family visits. Beyond travelling for work, he loved to travel the world with his loving wife, Margo. He also enjoyed annual trips to Cape Cod and the American Southwest.
In addition to his wife he leaves his children, Conan Walter and is wife, Mary of Southborough, Timothy Walter of Tomball, TX; Caitlin Boland and her husband William of Southborough; Robert Walter and is wife, Jennifer of Westford; Susanna Walter and her partner Jose Ayala of Waltham; Jacob Walter and his wife, DenaRae Walter of Southborough; sixteen grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Patricia Ristow, of Lincoln, Neb.
He was predeceased by his sister, Barbara Oliver and his daughter in law Kristin Walter.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, February, 24, from 5 to 7 pm at the Morris Johnston Funeral Home, 40 Main Street, Southborough
Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, February, 25, at 10 am at St Mathew Church, 26 Highland Street, Southborough, MA. Burial will follow in the Southborough Rural Cemetery.
To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit [www.morrisjohnstonfh.com].
(Photo via Morris-Johnston Funeral Home)
