Walter H Schmitz Jr.

Walt Schmitz was always interested in the sciences and the natural world. He was a quiet, artistic and creative guy. He received his BS in Education at Kutztown State College in 1971, and took graduate work at West Chester University. He was an earth and space science teacher for the North Penn School district in Landsdale, Pa. There he collected rocks and minerals to show his students, conducted experiments to demonstrate the tides, and built a telescope to view the stars. He retired in 1998 after serving as an educator for 29 years.

He was a scuba diver instructor and a parachute jumper. He loved to boat and fish and enjoyed being near the ocean. In retirement, he volunteered for many years at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge for the biology department. He battled mosquitoes while monitoring water impoundments and making reports to the rangers.

Walt is known as a master wood carver. For over forty years, he carved ducks and geese, birds and fish, shellfish and crabs. He was renowned for carving oysters which many people collected. He was known in Chincoteague as “Oyster Man”. He received many ribbons for his carvings including shows in Virginia, Maryland and Florida as well as world shows. He was meticulous in his work. He also repaired and restored antique clocks and watches. He had a small business selling antiques which specialized in clocks.

Walt was a loving husband. He was a dedicated gardener and took pride in what his yearly gardens produced as he shared with his family and neighbors. He often set up a give-away stall at the end of the lane to the property. The harvest enhanced the kitchen as he became a talented chef. He created many special meals for his wife Barbara as the two of them lived the country life together on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. They wintered in Stuart Florida for 18 years.

Walt was predeceased by his brothers Stuart Schmitz and Dave Schmitz of Reading Pa., and his stepdaughter Suzette Nyokka of Garberville, Ca. He is survived by Barbara, his wife of 55 years, his stepdaughter Nora and son in law Jon Saunders of Fallbrook, Ca, two grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He passed after a long series of illnesses. He will be cremated followed by a Blessing Ceremony given by Reverend Jude of Unity Church of Stuart, Fl. A celebration of life will occur at a later time.