Walter David Ward

Walter David Ward was born on June 3rd, 1943 to Pauline (Burkert) and Norris "Gadget" Ward, the child of a female high school basketball star and respected professional umpire. He passed away on April 24th, 2023, at the Ralston Creek Neighborhood community in Colorado, after a long fight with mucosal melanoma.

Walt was a dynamic, driven person that overcame tremendous obstacles to live the American Dream. At two years, Walt contracted polio, and underwent eleven operations by the age of eighteen. Walt was supported by gifted surgeons, nurses and medical staff at Shriners Hospital of Chicago that preserved and enhanced his qualify of life. During his formative years, he embraced chemistry, engineering, and the space race. Concerned he would never walk independently, at 16 years old he engineered and created his own brace to accomplish this goal. The first in his family to attend college, Walt earned a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Arts from Purdue University. The world was his classroom and he was open to learning about new things, especially in science and engineering. He later spent 31 years as a Wood Shop and Geography teacher at Brandywine High School, in Niles, MI passing this knowledge to children in the community. Kids and learning were always his priority.

Walt married Jane Marie Ward on Aug. 20, 1966, in South Bend Indiana. They enjoyed 50 years together, and built their dream home in Three Oaks, MI with family. Walt was a mechanics wizard and innovator, with a hidden talent for writing. Jane was his rock. They were a dynamic team, teaching and creating in the community, including donating a tree installation at the local library, building a suspension bridge, restoring a full soda fountain, building a block house, crafting cherry rocking horses, raising honey bees and writing a mystery novel. As his last project, Walt created a stainless steel globe as a pinnacle of his creative innovation.

Walt was proceeded in death by his brother John Ward (Marlene), and his sister Ilene Mackling (Don - deceased). He is survived by his sister Jan Phillips (Larry - deceased). Walt and Jane were the loving parents to Thomas "Ted" Ward (Jessica), Brian Ward (Karla), and Rebecca Zarzecki (Nick). They had 6 grandchildren, Samantha and Chyler Ward, Andrew "Drew" and Emily Ward, and Ruth and Gabriel Zarzecki.

Walt was a beacon of hope to those overcoming obstacles and facing difficulties. He always had interesting stories to share, or works of wood or art to gift. He will be greatly missed.

A celebration of his life will be held at the family home in Michigan on July 9th, 2023. Donations can be made in honor of Walter D. Ward to the Shriner's Hospitals for Children, at this link:

https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/give/119312/#!/donation/checkout?utm_source=shrinerschildrens&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=donateheader&utm_campaign=shrinerschildrens&c_src=shrinerschildrens&c_src2=header