Walter O. Loebel

Walter Otto Loebel, Jr. entered into eternal rest on June 4, 2013 in Chesterfield, Missouri at the age of 87. Born on November 20, 1925 to Marie & Walter Loebel in Trenton, Illinois, he was the eldest of 10 children. He graduated from St. Paul Catholic School before volunteering for induction into the US Army Air Corps in 1943. He graduated from Washington University in 1952 with a BS in Business Administration and was a member of Sigma Phi Episilon fraternity. He married Shirley Mae Hewitt in 1953 and was married nearly 60 years. He was preceded in death by his parents Marie & Walter Loebel and siblings Gladys Kayser, Mildred, Gloria, John, and William Loebel. He is survived by beloved wife, Shirley Hewitt Loebel and adoring children Adelia & Richard Ivy, Laura & John Muskopf, Maurine & Jeffrey Rapert, Sarah & Danny Green, and Walter H. Loebel. Survived by loving grandchildren Sheldon, Christine, Brian, Wade, Anne, Blake, Caitlin, Austin, Karen, Lindsay, Bradley, Drew, Adam, Danielle, Heidi, Joseph, Nicholas, Allison, Emily; great-grandchildren Katherine, Owen, Elijah, and Daniel. Survived by dear siblings Leonard Loebel, Rosemary Jacobsen, Margaret Forssberg, and Grace Sugg and their families. Walter passionately pursued careers with McDonnell Aircraft; McDonnell Douglas Aircraft and McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Divisions over 35 years; Electronics & Space Corporation of Emerson Electric; Systems & Electronics Inc.; and Speedline Technologies. He enjoyed opportunities to pursue progressive positions in purchasing, procurement, buying, and management--responsible for aircraft, aerospace, and defense parts and systems. He was associated with airplanes throughout his life and frequently recalled a slogan from early aviation: "Aviation is not unsafe, but like the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of carelessness or neglect." This slogan reflected his meticulous attention to detail in many facets of his life. He embraced computer technologies and enjoyed using them to stay connected to family and friends. His strong work ethic and integrity were admired by colleagues and family alike. He amply provided for his wife and children while imparting values of hard work, education, modesty, and frugality. Ever in awe of nature, he enjoyed the great outdoors through camping, hunting, and travel. He instilled "Wanderlust" in his children through fun, family vacations. He traveled with Shirley all over the globe, achieving his goal of visiting all seven continents. He loved classical music, polkas, and sing-a-longs whether around a camp fire or on the road in the family's Ford station wagon. No matter where his travels led him, he rarely missed a Cardinal baseball game. After his 1st retirement he found joy in liberation from daily shaving and discovered a new career as Santa, inspired by his sparkling, bright eyes and snow-white beard. Walter nurtured his remarkable intellect through constant reading and learning. He was blessed with phenomenal memory and recall and joked that what he did not already know, his brother, Leonard surely did.