Walter VanDerMeulen of Walden passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at his home in Walden. He was 92.
The son of Walter Kropowski and Sarah VanDerMeulen, he was born October 13, 1930 in Washingtonville.
Walter served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1972 as an aircraft mechanic and instructor. He was initially deployed during the Korean War, and later returned to Korea to serve as an advisor to the Korean Air Force from 1969 to 1971. As a career military man, Walter and his family relocated frequently, spending time in New Mexico, Maine and abroad in France, among others. After his military career, Walter worked as an appliance repairman until his retirement. He was also an avid builder and pilot of remote-controlled aircraft, and was a member of the SOURS RC club for many years.
He was predeceased by his wife of 68 years Elizabeth Florence VanDerMeulen, with whom he had four children.
Survivors include his daughter Sharon (late Larry Hunger), and sons Robert (Debra), Chris (Joan) and Michael (Claire), as well as six grandchildren (Susan, Jeremy, Heidi, Matthew, Megan and Lauren), six great-grandchildren (Luke, Liam, Mack, Paiton, Benjamin, and Taylor), and siblings Bill Stegenga, John Stegenga, Margaret Furrevig, and Betty Davis. Services will take place at a later date.