Alvin R. Wichterman

Age 86, of Falls Church, VA, passed away early Friday evening May 3, 2013 at Fairfax Hospital from pneumonia and complications from a stroke suffered in early February.

“Al” was born in Plummer, MN on October 10, 1926. He was the son of Arthur Monroe and Elizabeth Anna (Schmitz) Wichterman. He grew up on a farm with 10 brothers & sisters. He graduated from St. John’s Prep and University of Collegeville, MN. At one time Al thought he would become a priest but God had other plans for him.

In 1951 he joined the Army Signal Corps serving as a radio operator for 3 years. He was honorably discharged in May 1954. After the Army, Al served 25 years in the State Dept. retiring in 1980. Next, Al spent almost 15 years working as a subcontractor for the Dept. of Energy retiring again in 1994. Al’s last career was working as the East Coast Sales rep for Park Supply headquartered in Minnesota before his “final” retirement.

While stationed at the Warrenton training center, Dad met a beautiful young waitress name Rose Smith. They were united in marriage on May 7, 1955 at Precious Blood Catholic Church in Culpeper, VA.

Al & Rose began their family in 1958 and spent various tours overseas while raising two daughters, finally returning to their Falls Church home in 1980. Sadly Rose passed away from cancer after a short illness in December 1989.

Al was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church, VA.

Dad had many hobbies and interests. He loved vegetable gardening – once growing a 2lb tomato, loofas that were more robust than regular zucchini, and amaranth before it was in the news as healthy. He also enjoyed water skiing, sky-diving (he jumped 3 times!), gadgets & machines. He was a philosopher, an avid reader, and he loved politics. Al was compassionate and friendly and he especially loved having long conversations with his family and friends about his interests.

Al is survived by his daughters Kathy Wichterman of Fairfax, her fiancé Artie Sarns of Maryland; and Beth Wichterman and husband Bill Simpson, both of Saline Michigan. He is also survived by his brother Louis Wichterman and wife Mae of St. Cloud Minnesota; his sisters Elaine Moran and Adeline Wichterman of California; and his sister-in-law Roma Wichterman of Minneapolis. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Virginia Scott of Culpeper, Frances Groves, and her husband John Groves of Remington, Doris Jones of Manassas VA, and Lavera Smith of North Carolina; And he is survived by his brother-in-law Chuck Smith and his wife Yolanda of North Carolina. Al is also survived by dozens of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Al was a humble man of deep generosity and grace and we will all miss him.