Walter (Wally) Erwin Schroeder

Walter (Wally)  Schroeder

Walter Erwin Schroeder passed away on September 8th at Groves Park Lodge in Renfrew in his 95th year.

Walter is dearly missed by his wife Elizabeth (nee Jackson) of Renfrew, and daughter Sarah (John Kennedy) of Toronto. Walter was predeceased by his sisters Eleanor Jeffery, Gertie Johnston, Florence Sewter, Nelda McBride and brothers Leonard, Carl, Verner, Edward, Ernest, and Elvin. 

Walter was an adventurous soul in his youth. Following in the footsteps of four of his older brothers, he enlisted in the 4th Canadian Signal Corps in 1943 and served in France and Holland during World War 2. After leaving the service, Walter started his career as an electrician and worked on major hydro projects in remote areas of northern Quebec and Labrador. Returning to the Valley, Walter worked for Cobden Hydro before joining Atomic Energy in Chalk River where he spent most of his career. Wally served on Cobden town council and was a member of the Cobden Legion.   

Unique stories followed Walter throughout his life. Whether it was having a senior British officer ordering drinks for Walter and a couple of other Canadian soldiers (and later realizing that it was Vice Admiral Ramsay who commanded the D-Day invasion) or meeting two of his brothers by chance while they served in Europe, he had a knack of being in the right place at the right time. This continued recently during a hospital stay in 2018, when he discovered his roommate was a former German soldier and determined they were likely engaged in battle against each other 75 years earlier as they were stationed in the same area.

Wally loved to meet new people and would find someone to talk to no matter where he went. It wasn’t uncommon for him to find a fellow Valley resident or connection when he did talk with people during the many North American road trips he took throughout his life. Those who knew Walter will remember he loved playing golf, smoking cigars, and talking politics – often enjoying all three simultaneously.   

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Wally’s memory to the Renfrew Victoria Hospital or the Canadian Alzheimer’s Society. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.  The family would like to thank the wonderful team at Groves Park Lodge in Renfrew for the care they provided

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