Walter Paluch's Obituary
Walter J. Paluch, currently of Springdale, Arkansas, died October 26, 2015 at the Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville. He was born October 21, 1915 in Buffalo, New York, the son of Polish-Russian-American immigrants, Andrew E. Paluch and Anna (nee) Fulara-Paluch. He was preceded in death by one brother, Edward A. Paluch, and two sisters, Helen Ball and Clara Kalen, all of Buffalo, New York. He was also preceded in death by his beloved spouse of 55 years, Stella T. (nee) Kowalow-Paluch. He is survived by his only daughter, Andrea Ann Rothenberger of Springdale, Arkansas and her husband Lyndl.
Walter was a 1942 graduate of the State University of New York, at Buffalo, completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He proudly served his country as a US Army Warrant Officer, Junior Grade, during World War II, managing contracts for both Curtis-Wright and Bell Aircraft, out of the Army’s New York City and Buffalo Field Offices.
After the war, Walter worked for the Internal Revenue Service in Rochester, New York, as a revenue agent from 1947 until 1955, then as a field Auditor for the Office of the Comptroller of the State of New York from 1955 to 1978. Upon retirement in 1978, he moved with wife, Stella, to Boca Raton, Florida, until finally settling in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in November of 1986, to the present.
He was a lifetime member of the UB Alumni Association, and has been a member of The American Legion, in the Adam Plewacki Post #799 of Buffalo, New York for 49 consecutive years. He has been a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville since moving to Arkansas in 1986.
Walter enjoyed amateur photography in his youth. He loved the game of golf, caddied “for a buck a round” during the summers of 1928 and 1929, and remained an avid golfer through his retirement years. He maintained a summer garden of vegetables and herbs, and cultivated his favorite roses and geraniums. He was an avid reader of the daily news, financials, and always kept abreast of current events. He voted in every presidential election, through the age of 97 in 2012.
Walter is beloved by his family and many friends, and will forever be remembered for his ever-joyful and generous spirit. All who know him agree that he was the epitome and personification of all those best characteristics generally attributed to persons of the “Greatest Generation.” He will especially be remembered by his friends at Beaver Lake, Rogers, AR as “The President” and “The man on the deck with a cigar in his right hand and a friendly wave on the other”. During his 100 years, Walter’s gentle nature and sweet spirit have touched countless hearts, brightened many days and placed countless smiles. He always brought, and always loved, the sunshine.
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church Thursday, October 29, at 10:30 AM with interment at Fayetteville National Cemetery to follow under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home.
Memorials can be made to Willard Walker Hospice Home - 325 E Longview St, Fayetteville, AR 72703, KUAF Radio - 9 S. School Ave. - 1 University of Arkansas - Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, or St. Joseph Catholic Church - 1722 N Starr Dr, Fayetteville, AR 72701.
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