Date of death: 11/6/2015
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1971
Walter R. Laude went to be with the Lord peacefully on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, while surrounded by his wife and three children.Walter was born the youngest son of the late Victor and Marie Malzahn Laude in Chicago in 1944.His vast education includes high school in St. Nazianz, Wis. (1962); college at Mt. St. Paul College Salvatorian Seminary in Waukesha, Wis. (1962-64); Mt. St. MaryÆs College in Norwood, Ohio (1965-66); and Maryknoll College in Glen Ellen, Ill. (1966-67).Further education included Saint Meinrad Seminary School of Theology in Saint Meinrad, Ind. (1967-68), and St. Louis University School of Divinity in St. Louis (1968-69). He also received a Master of Science degree in education from Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., in 1971; a Master of Arts degree in Christian education at Scarritt College for Christian workers in Nashville, Tenn., in 1972; and a Masters of Library Science at George Peabody College in Nashville in 1979.Walter worked as a media specialist at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, Tenn., from 1973 to 1979 and at Indiana University of Pennsylvania as a media resources librarian from 1979 to 2005.Walter was a man of unbelievable integrity, character, kindness and generosity. He believed in serving others as witnessed in his work with the Glenmary Home Missionaries, consistent giving to The United Way, volunteer work as an adult literacy tutor and the food bank, through his involvement in his church, St. Thomas More University Parish, and The International Order of the KingÆs Daughters and Sons based in Chautauqua, N.Y., through which he earned the FounderÆs Award.Walter loved his family and friends, classic movies (e.g., Jimmy Stewart, Alfred Hitchcock), reading mysteries, traveling, woodworking, hat and badge collecting, the arts, trains and his Shih Tzu, Charlee. Walter also loved spending time with children and showing compassion to those in need, as evidenced in the many individuals who say, ôHe was like a father to me.öWalter has gone on, but he has left the world as a better place.He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Janet Kimble Laude; his son, Rick and wife Angie Laude, of Nashville; daughter the Rev. Katrina Laude, of Homer City, and her children, Kurt, Eli and Kaeldra; and daughter Susie and husband Kenny Lawson, of Jacobus, and their children, Carter and a baby on the way. Walter is also survived by his brothers Vic Laude, of Oakhurst, Calif., and Fred Laude of Paducah, Ky.