Walter R. Umbach passes away at age 96

Ninety-six-year-old Walter Umbach, a former Menlo Park resident for 50 years, died on March 15, 2024. His funeral service will be on Wednesday, March 27, at the Alta Mesa Funeral Home and Cemetery, 695 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, beginning at 11:00 am, with a reception to follow at Naschmarkt 2323 Birch St. Palo Alto.

Born on August 18, 1927, Walt was a longtime usher at Trinity Church, volunteered with the Stanford Hospital Patient Advisory Committee, and was the perpetual “remodeler,” always seen with his tool belt. He also coached AYSO soccer and was a Coast Guard Auxilliary Flotilla 19 member at Coyote Point.

Walt was an Eagle Scout, a Cornell University Civil Engineering graduate, and a World War II veteran. He served at the Army Mountain & Winter Warfare School in Colorado, teaching skiing and mountain climbing.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Linda, his daughter, Susan Basler, and sons Tom, John, Steve and William. There are 16 grandchildren and nine great-Grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation gift to the Bay Area Association of Kidney Patients (BAAKP) or BAAKP, P.O. Box 2332, Menlo Park, CA 94026-2332 or to Honor Flight Bay Area or Honor Flight Bay Area Foundation, P.O. Box 391528, Mountain View, CA 94039.