Capt Walter Ernest Marquardt USN (Retired)

A funeral service for Walter will be held Friday, July 25, 2025 at 11:30 AM at Sanlando United Methodist Church, 1890 W State Rd 434, Longwood, FL 32750 with a reception to follow.

A burial with military honors will occur Friday, July 25, 2025 at 3:00 PM at Highland Funeral Home & Memory Gardens, 3329 E Semoran Blvd, Apopka, FL 32703.

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Walter E. Marquardt

September 28, 1926 – July 12, 2025

Captain Walter Marquardt C.E.C. USN Retired passed away 12 July 2025. He was born 28 September 1926 in Cayuga, North Dakota. He graduated from High School in Wahpeton and enlisted in the Navy immediately thereafter in 1944. He attended Boot Camp in Farragut, Idaho, received a SECNAV appointment to the Naval Academy, and entered in June 1945.

Walter graduated with distinction and was commissioned in the Civil Engineer Corps. After a short tour in California, he attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he received a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree. After completing tours of duty with the Seabees in the Philippines, Washington, D.C., and Pasadena, he again attended Renssalaer, receiving a Master of Science Degree in Management. This was followed by tours in Guantanamo Bay, Newport, and was an instructor in the Management Department at the Postgraduate School in Monterey. He then became the Officer-in-Charge of Construction in Guam, then went to the naval Facilities Engineering Command, and there to the Naval War College. After a tour with the Third Naval Construction Brigade in Vietnam, he became the Commanding Officer of the Chesapeake Division, NAVFACENGCOM, and deputy Commander for Facilities Acquisition at Headquarters.

After retiring in 1978 he joined Gilbane Building Company as a Construction Executive. Key assignments included Strategic Petroleum Reserve in Louisiana, several projects in the Washington D.C. area, including the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, and as the Regional Construction Operations Manager in the Southeast Region. After retiring from Gilbane Building Company, he joined A.G. Development where he became the Senior Vice President.

Walter’s awards include the Legion of Merit with Combat V, Gold Star in lieu of a second award, Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, and various World War II and Vietnam campaign and service medals.

Walter married the former Shirley May Gregg on 26 March 1950. Together they shared sixty-three years of married life. They had three children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

After retirement, Walter’s life was filled with many incredible travel adventures, time with family and friends, and service to his church, Sanlando United Methodist. At Sanlando, Walter served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees on two separate occasions, the Chairman of the Staff/Parish Committee and as a committee member for several years. He served as the Lay Delegate to the Annual Conference for three years, the Leadership

Council for several years, Officer of the United Methodist Men’s organization, member of the Finance Committee for more years than he could count, and as a member of the District Board of Missions and Church Extension for several years.

Walter moved to Village on the Green in 2013 where he enjoyed a full life with daily walks, weekly bocce ball games, and the friendship of many wonderful people.

Walter is proceeded in death by his wife Shirley, his daughter Linda and his grandson Patrick.

He is survived by his son Richard and wife Sue, son Steve and wife Kathy, grandchildren Kimberly, Emily, Danielle and Adam, great-grandchildren Julia, Colby, Mackenzie, Danika and Ellie.