Obituary

Death Notice

  Word has been received here of the death of the husband of a Washington native. Walter Schoenfelder of Bettendorf died there Thursday.
  He is survived by his widow, Lucy Bruty Schoenfelder.
(Washington Journal, Washington, Iowa, Friday, March 8, 1985)

A Tribute To Walter Schoenfelder

It is hard for me to speak today, for I do not feel I can properly express in words just how great my grandfather actually was. He had many good characteristics and I imagine he meant different things to different people; whether it be a loving husband, caring father, good brother, concerned friend, or proud grandfather. Still I feel there is something missing in this description and it is tough to pinpoint.

My grandfather was somewhat unique in today's society, for he stood for values that are not all that prevalent in today's society. He believed there was no substitute for a hard day's work and if you were going to do a job, take care to do it right. He believed in going the extra step for people whether it be taking a friend to the doctors, going to the grocery store for a friend who could not get out of the house, or going downtown to do an errand for a friend. He also believed in following rules and regulations to the tee for that was what they were created for. I feel he had a hard time evaluating people in today's society, the type that do work half heartedly or turn their backs on their peers and relatives, for these attitudes were so contrary to his own values.

Still this is not enough for I feel I am overlooking a key point. I believe a good way to look at a man is to see what he creates, and in this respect I feel my grandfather was a great architect. When I look at my grandfather I see a man who had a good and happy marriage, and through this marriage brought up two sons and one daughter. With love and compassion he was able to instill his values upon his children, who in turn instilled these values on their children, nieces and nephews. In this respect I feel lucky.

When I look at some of my peers, I feel fortunate to have grown up in a house with a strong Christian background that helped me get off on the right foot, to have a family that was caring and loving and supportive in any endeavors I took. A family that showed me doing things just because everybody else does it is not always the right way to go. But most of all, giving me a name I can be proud of, Schoenfelder, no matter where I am.

Kids have told me to stop living in the past and live my own life. I feel there is some truth to this, for everybody has to be his own individual. But I also believe that growing up is a lot like building a house. While you have to be somewhat unique, you need a strong foundation, and without that foundation your house will crumble. I guess that was what my grandfather was to me, the strong foundation.

I have heard history is a jumble of lost names, but I feel in my grandfather's case, this is not the truth. Tm me my grandfather will always be living within me, with my children and with my children's children, for as long as I live a wholesome life and instill my grandfather's values upon my descendants, my grandfather will always be with us.

Thank you, Grandpa. I love you.