They met on a blind date and dated for nearly two years before they decided to tie the knot. They were a little cautious since it wasn’t the first marriage for either of them. He was fifty-eight and she was forty-one. He has a Boston Blackie pencil thin mustache, a full head of hair, and grown children and grands. My sister, Lori, became an instant grandmother–a role she relishes–the day she married Walter. I was proud to be her matron of honor.
I knew the attraction was serious when my sister came to visit to celebrate my birthday and couldn’t go a whole weekend without talking to Walter on the phone. Not just talking, but almost teenage cooing–like one truly smitten–arguing about who was going to hang up first. My brother-in-law of twenty-eight years was a terrific addition to the family.
While Lori gained children and grandchildren through marriage, Walter became a dog person. Lori had a Rottweiler, Sam, and a Great Pyrenees, Harry, when they married. Since Walter was retired he became their companion while Lori was at work and they became his four-legged buddies. Through the years Sam and Harry were followed by a Weimaraner, Jackson; a Jack Russell Terrier, Bailey; another Rottweiler, Edison; and his most recent companions, a Rottweiler named Koda and spoiled little French bulldog named Winston. Walter seemed to enjoy them as much as his wife did.
Walter was a bleed-scarlet-and-gray-Ohio-State fan, not because he was an alum, but because he lived much of his life within thirty minutes of the OSU stadium. It made him too nervous to watch the games live so Lori recorded them for him to watch once he knew the outcome. The one exception was when he attended the National Championship game.
Walter was an avid golfer. He shared many hours on the links with my husband and some brothers-in-law. He reached his bucket list goal of playing golf in all fifty states and played internationally in Canada with my brother-in-law, Jim O’Malley, who could never beat him.
His drink of choice when we first met him was Black Velvet and coke, but then he became a Bud Light drinker which he added a pinch of salt to. He remained loyal to them despite the kafuffle over the spokesperson and razzing by the other in-laws.
He love The Tribe- the Cleveland Indians, but did not like the political correctness motivated name change to the Guardians. On one of our couples trips, we met them in St. Louis for a Cardinals Indians baseball game. On that trip we convinced the very claustrophobic Walter to go up to the top of The Arch. The worst part wasn’t being in the small enclosed space at the top of the slightly swaying structure. It was the ride up in tiny pods where you all touched knees as it creaked and jerked to the top and then you had to get back in them to go down. He wasn’t ready to brave the caves in Chattanooga on a later trip.
Walter was from a family larger than ours. He was number twelve of thirteen children. We had to make a trip for a funeral to Canada years ago when you could cross the border with a birth certificate instead of requiring a passport. Walter’s birth certificate still showed a first name of ‘Boy’. He was allowed to enter Canada at Buffalo, NY. But he worried all weekend that U.S. Border agents might not let a man over the age of sixty back into the U.S. under the moniker ‘Boy’. But they did. Lori made arrangements for a corrected birth certificate and a passport soon after that.
The most important trait Walter had was that he loved my sister and she loved him. All you have to do is look at the picture of them together and see their feelings radiate off the photograph.
Walter had a stroke in March and worked hard in Rehab with one goal in mind–to come home. When he finally got there after ten weeks in therapy, he made it clear he didn’t want anything more to do with medical interventions. No matter what. I know that was hard for Lori, the compassionate nurse, to agree to, but that is what love means. He had no fear. He knew where he would spend eternity. When the Lord wrapped Walter in divine peace to spirit him to the place of no pain, she was at his side in their home holding his hand.
Thanks for being part of our lives, Walter. We love and miss you!
With many thanks to Kim for the tribute to the love of my life. I am blessed to have an incredible family
Kim, Thank you for this beautiful tribute to my father, Walter. I am Walters middle child and I loved him with all my heart and will always be “Daddys Girl”. My Dad and Lori’s love was so special. When they were dating I remember Dad would always say, “She’s out of my league, she’s way to good and smart for me”. Of course I would tell him that no one was to good for him. After they married Lori and Dad were so happy and Lori couldn’t have been any nicer or more loving to his adult children, grandchildren and later great-grandchildren. I loved seeing my father so in love. We lived far from each other so when we would visit them Lori always went out of her way to make everything perfect for us to stay in their home. Dad would always be sitting on the porch watching for our cars while Lori and I were texting so she could reassure Dad we were alright as he always worried about us until we arrived safely. I miss my father so much but I know he lived a full wonderful life. I can say without any doubt that his last 28 years with Lori were some of the happiest years of his life. I love you Lori, thank you for loving and taking care of my father, he loved you so much.
I hope you spoke at Walter’s funeral. You write so eloquently. As someone else commented, after reading your thoughts, I feel like I knew him. You have honored Lori’s and Walter’s relationship so beautifully. They are proof that it is never too late to find love.
Carol Sue (Schnepper) Tamsett
So sorry for the family’s loss and condolences to Lori. It is truly hard to say goodbye to your soul mate. 💔
Beautiful real life lovestory.
I feel like Walter and I are old friends after reading this. My condolences and prayers go out to Lori and all the family.
So sorry for your loss. This was lovely, such a sweet story, when it started I thought it might be your latest book, maybe it needs to be!
What a Wonderful Tribute for Walter. Prayers to you & your Family!! ❤️🙏❤️
My prayers are that Lori finds her way without him. Hopefully his children will help her in the days to come. Thank you for the beautiful tribute…
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. My brother-in-law passed this year. He and my sister were married almost 67 years. God rest his and Walter’s souls.
A Beautiful tribute to my sons beloved Uncle and our beloved Brother in Law.
Kim, what a beautiful tribute to Walter and to Lori, but also to your love of both of them. I feel like I know them too now. I pray that time and the Holy Spirit will soothe Lori’s heart and bridge the space that is left in Walter’s absence, until she they are united sgain. Love you
A beautiful tribute, Kim. Both of them were lucky to share that kind of love.
Kim, thank you for sharing your beautiful tribute to Walter. Deepest sympathy to you and your entire family–especially Lori.
Thank for such a beautifully written tribute to our Walter. Love you
Condolences on the loss of your family member, Kim … you were all blessed to have shared the planet with each other for 28 years 🌎
<3 Poignant story – and especially so because this morning I learned I lost a dear friend and editor last night after her third heart surgery.
Kim, this is such a lovely tribute to Walter and Lori. Thank you for sharing your words.
Sorry for your loss Kim. Obviously a terrific individual!
What a wonderful tribute to our Walter. Thanks for capturing his essence. Hugs!
Walter was such a precious gift from God to Lori and to all the family! So grateful for the cherished times they had together…but even more grateful that forever yet remains!