BORN

1945

DIED

2020

Walter Bennett Obituary

Walter Bennett, 75, formerly of North Main Street in Wilkes-Barre's North End neighborhood and also Scranton, passed peacefully into eternal life on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 16, 2020, while in the care of Allied Services Center City Skilled Nursing Center, Wilkes-Barre, formerly St. Luke's Villa, following a prolonged struggle with Parkinson's disease.

Born March 16, 1945, in Wilkes-Barre, he was the only child to the late Walter B. and Mary T. (Sirocky) Paluchowski. A man of great intellect, his education began as a graduate of the James M. Coughlin High School, Wilkes-Barre. He continued by attaining an associate degree from Pennsylvania State University Wilkes-Barre campus and later his bachelor's degree in astronomy from Marlboro College, now Emerson College, Marlboro, Vt. Following his formal education, he proudly served with the United States Army Reserve.

Although not pertaining to his course of study, he retired from the Diocese of Scranton as former director of Diocesan Catholic Cemeteries, a position he held for several years. He also worked as an engineer for both the former Commonwealth Telephone Company and DuPont Technologies.

Having a fascination with the celestial heavens, he previously worked in Mt. Wilson California with the operations team of the Hubble Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory; taught astronomy at Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus and even built an amateur observatory in the back yard of the family's North End residence.

Walter also had a passion for the physics and engineering of how machinery worked and was constructed. In his youth, he built a Bucyrus-Monighan 10-W walking steam drag line which was later donated to Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus as a model for their engineering classes. He single-handedly made casts for each bolt and gear used in the shovel's overall construction. Images of his work can be seen by visiting www.BennettShovel.com.

His talents and thought processes will be greatly missed by all those he knew in this life. In his spare time and being a lover of music, specifically anything from the Beatles, he was self-taught on the guitar.

Along with his parents, Walter was most recently preceded in death by his loving Godmother, Mrs. Betty Pirnick on Sept. 25, 2019.

Left to cherish the wonderful memories they have of him are several cousins, colleagues, neighbors and dear friends including Pat O'Neil, Barb Nanstiel, Carol Risch, Jerry Wall, Dwight and Judy Nunemacher and Monsignor Vincent J. Grimalia, who celebrated special occasions and birthdays with Walter while at the nursing home. Special thanks to his good buddy and travel companion to several heavy equipment shows, Keith Haddock and to Sue and Bryn Kehrli for the many cards and letters they sent to lift his spirits during trying times.

His caregivers would like to gratefully acknowledge the staff of Allied Services and St. Luke's Villa for the compassion and patience they showed Walter during his stay with them.

Funeral services for Mr. Bennett will be conducted on Saturday with his memorial funeral Mass at 11 a.m. in the Parish of St. Andre Bessette, 668 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. The Rev. Kenneth M. Seegar, pastor, will serve as celebrant and homilist. Facial masks are required for those in attendance while the funeral home staff will ensure spatial seating is observed to comply with social distancing requirements.

Interment will follow in Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Cemetery of St. Andre Bessette Parish, Dorchester Drive, Dallas, where the Rite of Committal will be conferred.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather for visitation and shared remembrances directly at church Saturday morning from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services.

In lieu of floral tributes, memorial donations in Walter's memory are kindly suggested for the Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc. of Wilkes-Barre are honored to care for our friend and neighbor, Mr. Bennet at this time. To share words of condolence, a fond memory or for directions to services, please visit Walter's memorial page on our family's website or Facebook page at www.JohnVMorrisFuneralHomes.com.

Published by Citizens Voice from Sep. 19 to Sep. 20, 2020.
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Memories and Condolences
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Farewell, my friend, my colleague in thought and my mentor. The world will miss your intellect, intensity, your ingenuity and your wit.

Jack Edwartoski

Friend

May 22, 2021

Elisabeth Anderson

Friend

January 4, 2021

Elisabeth Anderson

Friend

January 4, 2021

Elisabeth Anderson

Friend

January 4, 2021

Elisabeth Anderson

Friend

January 4, 2021

Elisabeth Anderson

Friend

January 4, 2021

Walter was a very kind and gentle man. He had a love for astronomy, which began as a child. He built his own observatory in his parent's backyard. He also loved steam shovels and had built an amazing model of a Bucyrus-Monighan 10W steam shovel, which he donated to Penn State in 2014. Walter completed the model in 1980 and had moved 2 tons of earth with it.

In 1988, he graduated from Marlboro College with a BS degree focused on astronomy. He had also taught in Massachusettes at William's College.

Walter once showed me a picture of himself as a child, playing in the backyard sandbox with his earthmovers. He was dressed up in a nice pair of slacks and a crisp white shirt. Not a speck of dirt touched his clothes. You know he made his parents proud, both as a child and as an adult.

Walter also had a sweet sense of humor. He told me how he would go throughout his parent's home balancing pennies on objects, like picture frames and furniture. Then, as his mother dusted, the pennies would fall and keep her wondering.

May he rest in peace. He leaves everyone with fond memories.

Elisabeth Anderson

Friend

January 4, 2021

In memory of Walter Bennett.

Elisabeth Anderson

December 26, 2020

I was saddened to hear about Walter's passing but he is in a better place now. It was a pleasure working with him and getting to know him.

Rest in Peace Walter.

Louise Quinn

September 21, 2020

What great heart and adventurous spirit, he had. I am grateful for the memories of our ski outings and hiking across mountains with Walter and cherished friends. I would say Rest Well now, my friend, but if there is a way, I doubt his curiosity would ever end. <3

September 21, 2020

I was very sorry to hear about Walter's passing. He was such an intelligent man of many talents. My mother was his godmother and she spoke so highly of him. May he Rest In Peace and free of any discomfort. Marybeth Toole

Marybeth Toole

September 20, 2020

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Memorial Events
for Walter Bennett

Sep

26

Visitation

10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

PA

Sep

26

Funeral service

11:00 a.m.

Parish of Saint Andre Bessette

668 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA

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