Walter’s life began Dec. 2, 1936, in the Swedish District in Chicago, IL. As an infant, he returned to Sweden with his mother so his grandparents and relatives could get to meet him and know him until he was two. At two years old and only speaking Swedish, he returned to Chicago where his father had worked in their absence to purchase their townhouse in which they resided until he was 12. In 1949 they settled in Benton Harbor and his dad opened Colorland Paint Store.
Walter is a 1954 graduate of Benton Harbor High School and following graduation he attended Benton Harbor Community College. He went to work as a junior buyer at Bendix and moved up the ranks to senior buyer for Bendix Allied Signal, after many years in the industry Walter would retire from Bosch. During his working career Walter earned numerous cost savings awards at both companies.
Before going to work at Bendix Walter worked at Aircraft Components in Benton Harbor as a shipping clerk, in 1957 he met Barbara Knapp who was a sales clerk. On November 3, 1962 they married at First Methodist Church in Watervliet. They enjoyed 60 years together going on adventures and supporting their daughter and grandchildren.
Outside of work Walter could be found volunteering his time for Coloma Lions Club where he was awarded Lion of the Year and a member for 20 years. He was also an avid sportsman enjoying hunting, fishing, golf, and softball. Walter was an avid firearms enthusiast, self-taught guitar player, and coin collector.
His greatest joy was gathering with his family and playing games and cards. You would be hard pressed to go to an activity his grandchildren or great-grandchildren participated and not find him in the stands, he loved supporting them in all their activities.
He leaves behind a loving family to cherish his memory including: his wife Barbara; daughter Kristina (Courtney) Myers; three grandsons CJ Myers, Connor Myers, and Christian Myers; bonus grandsons Gregory Akre and Douglas (Kasey) Reitz; great-grandchildren Olivia and Madeleine Myers, Areli and Olyn Akre, Beau Reitz and Connor Badgley; granddogs Katie and Bindi; great-granddog Blue; and special friends George Richter and Larry Greathouse.
Walter died Friday, May 20, 2022 at Select Medical Hospital in Battle Creek.
He is preceded in death by his dad Albert Uno Nord; beloved mother Lilly (Nilsson) Nord, beloved mom Opal Nord, in-laws Merritt Knapp and June Knapp, and numerous aunts and uncles.
Friends may gather with Walter’s family Wednesday, May 25, 2022 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet. Funeral services will be celebrated Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church in Watervliet. Burial will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens.
Memorials may be made in Walter’s memory to North Lincoln Baseball and Softball Association or Berrien County Humane Society. You are invited to leave a message of comfort for Walter’s family at hutchinsfuneral.com.