Walter O Lindenmayer

Walter Lindenmayer, 85, of Lakewood, NJ, passed away peacefully in Toms River on June 12th. Walter was born in Stuttgart, Germany, to the late Martha and Otto Lindenmayer. Walter was a member of the Stuttgart Kickers in the late 1950s and traveled to New York from Germany in 1960 to play semi-pro soccer for one year. He enjoyed it so much that he decided to stay. In 1963, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served two years in Europe during the Vietnam War. Walter was honorably discharged in 1969. During his stint in Europe, he was selected to play for the U.S. Armed Forces All-Star Soccer Team, in which he started in 12 International games, including Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) soccer tournaments against other national teams. He was immensely proud to wear the U.S.A. jersey and, with help from his future wife, kept fantastic journals of their meet and greets with dignitaries from all over the world. In 1965, after leaving active military duty, Walter joined the N.Y.C. Pro All-Star Soccer Team and continued to build a family in the N.Y.C. area. Walter owned a Karl Elmer Pork Store in Staten Island from 1967-1993. He was past vice president of the German American Society of Staten Island and an Oakwood Heights V.F.W. Post member. Walter met his late wife, Heidi, in Stuttgart, Germany. They were married for over 50 years before her passing in 2022. They enjoyed traveling and spending time with family. Walter is survived by his son, Peter, and his wife, Donna, and their children, Michael and Kristen, and son, Oliver, and his wife, Jennifer, and their children, Owen and Ava. Walter’s first love was soccer, but he was also an avid fan of the New York Rangers and New York Jets. A celebration of Walter’s life will be held at a later date. Messages of condolence can be offered at D’Elia Funeral Home www.dignitymemorial.com