Keith A WALDA, age 83, of Fort Wayne, Indiana passed away on Friday March 15, 2019. Keith was born May 1, 1935 to the late Albert A and Madeline (Deitz) Walda. He had attended Central High School and Ohio State University. He was a Manufacturing Engineer; spending 28 years with General Electric in Tiffin, Ohio and Fort Wayne and 13 years with Franklin Electric in Bluffton, Indiana where he retired in 2000. He had a life time commitment to the volunteer fire service at Clinton Township in Ohio. During his years with them, he served as a fire instructor and trainer with many of the small rural areas, after transferring to Fort Wayne, he became a member of the Wayne Township Department, which is now Southwest Fire District. In October 1982, Keith and several others formed the Aboite Fire & First Response Volunteer Department. He spent over 55 years in the Fire Service, serving on the Allen county Arson Investigation Team and teaching many members of the fire service.
Among Keith's greatest pleasures and rewards were being the first Fire Chief of Aboite Township and having the new ladder truck dedicated to him in 2018. He enjoyed watching his grandson play football and winning the state championship for Carmel High School in Indianapolis, going to Chicago where his son Michael lives and eating at all the many restaurants. Keith also liked going fishing, playing tennis and racket ball with Melinda and playing board games with Laura and always winning.
He is survived by his wife of over 63 years, Carolyn Anne; children, Laura Walda of Fort Wayne, IN, Melinda Walda-Ross, of Indianapolis, IN, and Michael J. Walda; grandsons, Brennan M. Ross of Indianapolis, IN; brother, George N. (Linda) Walda of Mesa, AZ; sister, Kay Dickson of Fort Wayne, IN. Proceeding him in passing are his brother, Jon L. Walda.
A funeral service will be at 10am on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at tbe D.O. McComb & Sons funeral home. Visitation will be from 2-4pm and 6-8pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at the funeral home. Keith will be laid to rest in the Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Aboite Fire/ First Response Dept., ASPCA on Hanna Street, and the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo.Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.mccombandsons.com for the WALDA family.
DONATIONS
Aboite Fire/ First Responder Dept.
ASPCA on Hanna Street
Fort Wayne Children's Zoo
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