Earl Richard Walter Sr.

EARL RICHARD WALTER, SR., 89

Union Carbide

Earl Richard Walter, Sr. of Lake Wales, Florida, died Sunday, February 04, 2007 at age 89.

Born March 16, 1917 in Huntington, Indiana, he lived in South Charleston, WV for over sixty years before retiring to Lake Wales, FL. Mr. Walter's professional career with Union Carbide began in 1939 where he spent many years as a research chemist at the Research and Development Center in South Charleston. He retired in 1979.

Mr. Walter's interests provided a significant benefit to West Virginia state museums. As a long standing member of the West Virginia Archaeological Society he endeavored to prevent the destruction of prehistoric mounds and aboriginal sites, keeping with the highest standard of archaeological field work.

As an avid photographer, Mr. Walter photographed an extensive collection of West Virginia wild flowers. Countless garden clubs and interested groups enjoyed his presentations. Always interested in the unknown, Earl Walter explored many caves throughout WV as a spelunker and photographed areas of the southwest U.S., especially along the San Juan and Colorado Rivers. He was a member of the Sports Car Club of America and the Lake Wales Country Club.

Mr. Walter was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian "Sally" Armstrong Walter and his son E. Richard Walter, Jr. Survivors include his daughters Mona Jean Schafstall of Wellsburg, WV; Carole Irvine of Dataw Island, SC; five grandchildren: Connan Schafstall of Wellsburg, WV; Brittany Walter of Charleston, WV; Jason Happe of Richmond Hill, GA; John Irvine of Cumming, GA; Jeffrey Irvine of Annapolis, MD; and seven great-grandchildren.

Following a memorial service in Lake Wales, visitation in South Charleston will be held from 2:00 p.m. until funeral service time at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 10, 2007 at Snodgrass Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

Marion Nelson Funeral Home, Lake Wales.