Walter "Walt" Hatz, 84, of Rehoboth Beach, died peacefully Monday, Feb. 9, 2015, at his residence. He was born in Wilmington Jan. 27, 1931, son of the late Nicholas and Tillie Hatz.
He graduated from Brown Vocational High School in 1948. He was employed by Atlas Powder Co. and associated companies, retiring from ICI Americas, now Astra Zeneca, in 1989 after 40 years of service as manager of telecommunications.
Walt was a well-known athlete in the Delaware area. He played basketball and was captain of his high school baseball team. Walt also played basketball in the CYO League, helping St. Mary's win the Delaware CYO Championship and helped St. Hedwig's win both the Delaware and Regional Championship in Harrisburg, Pa. He also served two years in the Delaware Air National Guard, helping their team to win the Dover Basketball Tournament. He played baseball in the Delaware Semi-Pro League with a number of teams and in 1955 hit .340.
After being activated into the U.S. Air Force he was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., and played with the Andrews Field Rockets. After being transferred to the New Castle Air Base, he continued to play baseball and basketball until his honorable discharge in 1952. He always joked that he was guarding the east coast and keeping up the morale of the troops. After his honorable discharge from the service, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.
One of Walt's proudest achievements was playing in the popular annual YMCA Junior Basketball Tournament (18 year olds) and being selected as the outstanding player. One week later, Walt played in the Senior Division and was selected to the All-Tourney Team.
While employed at Atlas Powder and playing basketball on the company team in the Industrial League, he met his future wife Florence who played on the women's team. Florence led her league in scoring for six years. Walt was inducted into the Delaware Legends Basketball Hall of Fame as one of the first members in 2010. Florence was also inducted in 2012 to the Delaware Legends Basketball Hall of Fame as one of its first female members. Walt also bowled in several leagues.
He found time to coach his son's Little League teams and was a member of IAABO and also was a referee for high school and college basketball.
Retiring in 1989 at the age of 58 Walt enjoyed 26 years of retirement. He and Florence lived a very active life style in retirement. They moved to the Rehoboth Beach area and they enjoyed boating, fishing, crabbing, gardening, traveling abroad, taking many cruises and spending a few months annually in Florida. He was always proud of the flowers that he grew. After joining the Rehoboth Beach Country Club, they started playing golf and bridge.
On February 28, 2012, Walt was a pioneer in the Delaware area by having a heart procedure where the team at Kentucky hospital implanted an LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device). At the time, he was one of the few people having this assistance in Sussex County.
A special thanks to Dr. Saltzberg and his staff at Christiana Hospital, especially Dr. Bhalla, Susan Felicia, Cathy and good friend Deb Dougherty for their support and assistance during his long journey. Also, even though he was under Delaware Hospice for a short time their help was exceptional.
In addition to his parents Walt was preceded in death by siblings Michael and Nicholas Jr., Anna Tysowsky (Michael), Mary Schapazian (Charles), and Olga Pusey (Chas). He is survived by his loving wife of 59-plus years, Florence; sons Bruce (Debbie) of Gilroy, Calif., David (Doni) of Loveland, Ohio, and daughter Diane of New York City and her adopted children Ngawang Palbar and Sonam Lhamo in Nepal; as well as several nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law Rose Hatz and Lorraine Hand and brother-in-law Frank (Dallas) Andrusko. His children were not only his pride and joy, but he was their mentor, advisor and good friend.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 13, at St. Edmond Catholic Church, 409 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, at All Saints' Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Walt's memory to The Salvation Army, P. O. Box 310, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 or the Food Bank of Delaware, 1040 Mattlink Way, Milford, DE 19963.
He graduated from Brown Vocational High School in 1948. He was employed by Atlas Powder Co. and associated companies, retiring from ICI Americas, now Astra Zeneca, in 1989 after 40 years of service as manager of telecommunications.
Walt was a well-known athlete in the Delaware area. He played basketball and was captain of his high school baseball team. Walt also played basketball in the CYO League, helping St. Mary's win the Delaware CYO Championship and helped St. Hedwig's win both the Delaware and Regional Championship in Harrisburg, Pa. He also served two years in the Delaware Air National Guard, helping their team to win the Dover Basketball Tournament. He played baseball in the Delaware Semi-Pro League with a number of teams and in 1955 hit .340.
After being activated into the U.S. Air Force he was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., and played with the Andrews Field Rockets. After being transferred to the New Castle Air Base, he continued to play baseball and basketball until his honorable discharge in 1952. He always joked that he was guarding the east coast and keeping up the morale of the troops. After his honorable discharge from the service, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.
One of Walt's proudest achievements was playing in the popular annual YMCA Junior Basketball Tournament (18 year olds) and being selected as the outstanding player. One week later, Walt played in the Senior Division and was selected to the All-Tourney Team.
While employed at Atlas Powder and playing basketball on the company team in the Industrial League, he met his future wife Florence who played on the women's team. Florence led her league in scoring for six years. Walt was inducted into the Delaware Legends Basketball Hall of Fame as one of the first members in 2010. Florence was also inducted in 2012 to the Delaware Legends Basketball Hall of Fame as one of its first female members. Walt also bowled in several leagues.
He found time to coach his son's Little League teams and was a member of IAABO and also was a referee for high school and college basketball.
Retiring in 1989 at the age of 58 Walt enjoyed 26 years of retirement. He and Florence lived a very active life style in retirement. They moved to the Rehoboth Beach area and they enjoyed boating, fishing, crabbing, gardening, traveling abroad, taking many cruises and spending a few months annually in Florida. He was always proud of the flowers that he grew. After joining the Rehoboth Beach Country Club, they started playing golf and bridge.
On February 28, 2012, Walt was a pioneer in the Delaware area by having a heart procedure where the team at Kentucky hospital implanted an LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device). At the time, he was one of the few people having this assistance in Sussex County.
A special thanks to Dr. Saltzberg and his staff at Christiana Hospital, especially Dr. Bhalla, Susan Felicia, Cathy and good friend Deb Dougherty for their support and assistance during his long journey. Also, even though he was under Delaware Hospice for a short time their help was exceptional.
In addition to his parents Walt was preceded in death by siblings Michael and Nicholas Jr., Anna Tysowsky (Michael), Mary Schapazian (Charles), and Olga Pusey (Chas). He is survived by his loving wife of 59-plus years, Florence; sons Bruce (Debbie) of Gilroy, Calif., David (Doni) of Loveland, Ohio, and daughter Diane of New York City and her adopted children Ngawang Palbar and Sonam Lhamo in Nepal; as well as several nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law Rose Hatz and Lorraine Hand and brother-in-law Frank (Dallas) Andrusko. His children were not only his pride and joy, but he was their mentor, advisor and good friend.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 13, at St. Edmond Catholic Church, 409 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, at All Saints' Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Walt's memory to The Salvation Army, P. O. Box 310, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 or the Food Bank of Delaware, 1040 Mattlink Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Walter "Walt" Hatz, 84, of Rehoboth Beach, died peacefully Monday, Feb. 9, 2015, at his residence. He was born in Wilmington Jan. 27, 1931, son of the late Nicholas and Tillie Hatz.
He graduated from Brown Vocational High School in 1948. He was employed by Atlas Powder Co. and associated companies, retiring from ICI Americas, now Astra Zeneca, in 1989 after 40 years of service as manager of telecommunications.
Walt was a well-known athlete in the Delaware area. He played basketball and was captain of his high school baseball team. Walt also played basketball in the CYO League, helping St. Mary's win the Delaware CYO Championship and helped St. Hedwig's win both the Delaware and Regional Championship in Harrisburg, Pa. He also served two years in the Delaware Air National Guard, helping their team to win the Dover Basketball Tournament. He played baseball in the Delaware Semi-Pro League with a number of teams and in 1955 hit .340.
After being activated into the U.S. Air Force he was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., and played with the Andrews Field Rockets. After being transferred to the New Castle Air Base, he continued to play baseball and basketball until his honorable discharge in 1952. He always joked that he was guarding the east coast and keeping up the morale of the troops. After his honorable discharge from the service, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.
One of Walt's proudest achievements was playing in the popular annual YMCA Junior Basketball Tournament (18 year olds) and being selected as the outstanding player. One week later, Walt played in the Senior Division and was selected to the All-Tourney Team.
While employed at Atlas Powder and playing basketball on the company team in the Industrial League, he met his future wife Florence who played on the women's team. Florence led her league in scoring for six years. Walt was inducted into the Delaware Legends Basketball Hall of Fame as one of the first members in 2010. Florence was also inducted in 2012 to the Delaware Legends Basketball Hall of Fame as one of its first female members. Walt also bowled in several leagues.
He found time to coach his son's Little League teams and was a member of IAABO and also was a referee for high school and college basketball.
Retiring in 1989 at the age of 58 Walt enjoyed 26 years of retirement. He and Florence lived a very active life style in retirement. They moved to the Rehoboth Beach area and they enjoyed boating, fishing, crabbing, gardening, traveling abroad, taking many cruises and spending a few months annually in Florida. He was always proud of the flowers that he grew. After joining the Rehoboth Beach Country Club, they started playing golf and bridge.
On February 28, 2012, Walt was a pioneer in the Delaware area by having a heart procedure where the team at Kentucky hospital implanted an LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device). At the time, he was one of the few people having this assistance in Sussex County.
A special thanks to Dr. Saltzberg and his staff at Christiana Hospital, especially Dr. Bhalla, Susan Felicia, Cathy and good friend Deb Dougherty for their support and assistance during his long journey. Also, even though he was under Delaware Hospice for a short time their help was exceptional.
In addition to his parents Walt was preceded in death by siblings Michael and Nicholas Jr., Anna Tysowsky (Michael), Mary Schapazian (Charles), and Olga Pusey (Chas). He is survived by his loving wife of 59-plus years, Florence; sons Bruce (Debbie) of Gilroy, Calif., David (Doni) of Loveland, Ohio, and daughter Diane of New York City and her adopted children Ngawang Palbar and Sonam Lhamo in Nepal; as well as several nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law Rose Hatz and Lorraine Hand and brother-in-law Frank (Dallas) Andrusko. His children were not only his pride and joy, but he was their mentor, advisor and good friend.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 13, at St. Edmond Catholic Church, 409 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, at All Saints' Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Walt's memory to The Salvation Army, P. O. Box 310, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 or the Food Bank of Delaware, 1040 Mattlink Way, Milford, DE 19963.
He graduated from Brown Vocational High School in 1948. He was employed by Atlas Powder Co. and associated companies, retiring from ICI Americas, now Astra Zeneca, in 1989 after 40 years of service as manager of telecommunications.
Walt was a well-known athlete in the Delaware area. He played basketball and was captain of his high school baseball team. Walt also played basketball in the CYO League, helping St. Mary's win the Delaware CYO Championship and helped St. Hedwig's win both the Delaware and Regional Championship in Harrisburg, Pa. He also served two years in the Delaware Air National Guard, helping their team to win the Dover Basketball Tournament. He played baseball in the Delaware Semi-Pro League with a number of teams and in 1955 hit .340.
After being activated into the U.S. Air Force he was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., and played with the Andrews Field Rockets. After being transferred to the New Castle Air Base, he continued to play baseball and basketball until his honorable discharge in 1952. He always joked that he was guarding the east coast and keeping up the morale of the troops. After his honorable discharge from the service, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.
One of Walt's proudest achievements was playing in the popular annual YMCA Junior Basketball Tournament (18 year olds) and being selected as the outstanding player. One week later, Walt played in the Senior Division and was selected to the All-Tourney Team.
While employed at Atlas Powder and playing basketball on the company team in the Industrial League, he met his future wife Florence who played on the women's team. Florence led her league in scoring for six years. Walt was inducted into the Delaware Legends Basketball Hall of Fame as one of the first members in 2010. Florence was also inducted in 2012 to the Delaware Legends Basketball Hall of Fame as one of its first female members. Walt also bowled in several leagues.
He found time to coach his son's Little League teams and was a member of IAABO and also was a referee for high school and college basketball.
Retiring in 1989 at the age of 58 Walt enjoyed 26 years of retirement. He and Florence lived a very active life style in retirement. They moved to the Rehoboth Beach area and they enjoyed boating, fishing, crabbing, gardening, traveling abroad, taking many cruises and spending a few months annually in Florida. He was always proud of the flowers that he grew. After joining the Rehoboth Beach Country Club, they started playing golf and bridge.
On February 28, 2012, Walt was a pioneer in the Delaware area by having a heart procedure where the team at Kentucky hospital implanted an LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device). At the time, he was one of the few people having this assistance in Sussex County.
A special thanks to Dr. Saltzberg and his staff at Christiana Hospital, especially Dr. Bhalla, Susan Felicia, Cathy and good friend Deb Dougherty for their support and assistance during his long journey. Also, even though he was under Delaware Hospice for a short time their help was exceptional.
In addition to his parents Walt was preceded in death by siblings Michael and Nicholas Jr., Anna Tysowsky (Michael), Mary Schapazian (Charles), and Olga Pusey (Chas). He is survived by his loving wife of 59-plus years, Florence; sons Bruce (Debbie) of Gilroy, Calif., David (Doni) of Loveland, Ohio, and daughter Diane of New York City and her adopted children Ngawang Palbar and Sonam Lhamo in Nepal; as well as several nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law Rose Hatz and Lorraine Hand and brother-in-law Frank (Dallas) Andrusko. His children were not only his pride and joy, but he was their mentor, advisor and good friend.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 13, at St. Edmond Catholic Church, 409 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, at All Saints' Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Walt's memory to The Salvation Army, P. O. Box 310, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 or the Food Bank of Delaware, 1040 Mattlink Way, Milford, DE 19963.
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