Walther

Chief Stephen C. Walther 75, of Perry Township, Armstrong County, formerly of Mt. Lebanon and Reserve Township, Allegheny County, died Wednesday at his home.

Born Aug. 28, 1934, in Reserve Township, he was the son of Stephen J. and Hilda R. (Rueckert) Walther.

He graduated from Millvale High School in 1952, and he obtained an associate degree in fire science from Allegheny County Community College.

Chief Walther belonged to the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Fire Protection Association and the Keystone Chapter of Fire Service Instructors.

Upon retirement in 1990, he and his wife moved to their cottage on the Allegheny River.

He volunteered his expertise with the East Brady Volunteer Fire Department, was the East Brady Riverfest Parade emcee from 1990 to 2009 and enjoyed cutting grass, fishing and sleep outs in the travel trailer with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed spending the winter months with his wife in Belleair Beach, Fla.

He began his fire fighting career as the third generation in his family volunteering for the Mount Troy Fire Company in 1953, served as chief of the Mount Troy Fire Company in 1960-1961 and retired after serving 18 years as fire chief for the Mount Lebanon Fire Department, where he was stationed for 28 years. He held the ranks of lieutenant, platoon chief and assistant chief.

After retiring in 1990, he served as pump instructor for the State of Pennsylvania, instructing classes in Western Pennsylvania. In 2005, he was named Pennsylvania Instructor Emeritus.

He served in the Army from 1956 to 1958, spending one year attached to the 13th Helicopter unit in Korea. He served in the National Guard for two years in the First Howitzer Battalion, Hunt Armory.

He was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Bradys Bend, and the American Legion Post 488 of Bradys Bend.

Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Gloria P. (Camp) Walther of Perry Township, who he married Aug. 5, 1961; a daughter, Wendy Hnat and her husband, Michael, of Treasure Lake; and seven grandchildren, Jim (Amanda), Jennifer, Josh, Julie, Joey, Jamie and Jessica. Also surviving is a sister, Grace Comport.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Mercedes Muenz.

<B>WALTHER</B> — A memorial Mass for Chief Stephen C. Walther, who died Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010, will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick Church, Bradys Bend, with the Rev. William Kuba, pastor of St. Eusebius Church, East Brady, officiating.A memorial tribute also will be at noon Aug. 28, his birthday, at the Castle Shannon Fire Department Memorial Hall, 3600 Library Road, Pittsburgh.Memorials may be made to St. Patrick Church, 915 State Route 68, East Brady, PA 16028.