SANDWICH. Walter Uggerholt, age 88, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2019. Born on December 30, 1930 in Palasades Park, NJ, Walter was the son of the late Axel and Dagney (Henriksen) Uggerholt. Born during The Great Depression, Walter and his mother returned to her native Denmark and lived with her parents. The family was reunited in 1934 after Walter’s father found work, and they moved to the small village of Northport on Long Island, NY.
Walter grew up in Northport and graduated from Northport High School in 1949. He then enlisted in the Air Force where he was trained as an aircraft and engine mechanic. When the war in Korea broke out, Walter served with distinction as part of the Fifth Air Force/49th Fighter Bomber Group from August 1950 to February 1952. He returned to the U.S. and was stationed in Georgia until his honorable discharge. Service to his country was something Walter to great pride in.
Walter went to work in the construction field as a heavy equipment operator on Long Island. In October of 1953, he met the love of his life, Shirley; they married in January 1954, had three children, and spent 60 beautiful years together. Walter and Shirley moved their family to Sandwich, MA in 1968 to raise their family. Walter continued his career in the heavy equipment industry for John Deere, initially as a mechanic before moving into sales for the next 30 years.
Following retirement, Walter became a volunteer at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, a “job” he truly enjoyed.
As a member of Freemasons, Dewitt Clinton Lodge, Walter served as Master in 1980-81. Walter was also an Aleppo Temple Shriner, entertaining children for countless hours as Uncle Gus the clown. He was a friend of “Bill” for over twenty-six years. Known for his warm compassionate smile and his wisdom, Walter will be sorely missed by the many lives he touched.
Walter was predeceased by both Shirley, who passed away in August of 2014, and their oldest son, Chris, who passed away in January of 2019. Walter will be greatly missed by his daughter, Kathleen, of Sandwich, MA, his son Karl and his wife Laura of Conway, NH, daughter in law Nancy of Bartlett NH, grandson, Craig of Medford, MA, grand-daughters, Kathryn of Cambridge, MA, and Kimberly of Brooklyn, NY, step-grandsons Samuel and James Van Nuland of Lowell, MA and Conway, NH, respectively and his dear friend, Betty Brager of Crosby, Minnesota. Walter is also survived by many cousins in Denmark and Minnesota.
A burial service with Full Military Honors will be held at the National Cemetery in Bourne on Wednesday, February 13th at 11:00 AM. Those wishing to attend should gather at 9:45 AM at Nickerson Bourne Funeral Home located at 154 MA-6A in Sandwich for a procession to the cemetery. Collation to follow at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Main Street in Sandwich. A Celebration of Life Service will be held this spring at St. John’s, the date to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to a charity of one’s choice can be made.
