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FREIHOFER, WALTER B. Walter B. Freihofer passed away on Saturday, May 26, 2012 after a brief illness. Walter was born August 28, 1922 at Albany, New York, the oldest son and one of five children born to Walter B. Freihofer of Philadelphia and Nan Gray of Albemarle County, Virginia. Walter's grandfather, Charles, started the Freihofer Baking Co. in Philadelphia just after the turn of the century, and expanded the successful enterprise to Albany, Troy, and Schenectady New York in 1913. Walter's father was one of five sons and four daughters of Charles Freihofer and Pauline Braun. All the sons were involved in the family business, and in the mid 1920's Walter's parents moved their young family to Indianapolis, Indiana where they started up a new branch of the Freihofer Baking Co. Walter grew up in Indianapolis and was graduated from Shortridge High School, Class of 1940. He excelled at both athletics and academics and was elected President of his senior class. Walter proceeded to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he played football under legendary coach Fritz Crisler and made many life-long friends. He was a member of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. His undergraduate studies were interrupted by the war, and he went overseas in February 1943, serving in the 8th Infantry Division of the US Army in Europe, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant, platoon leader. At the end of the war, Walter was accepted at the University of Michigan Law School, even without an undergraduate degree. He was a member of Phi Delta Phi law fraternity and earned his LLB in 1948. Walter settled in Grand Rapids in the same year, and started his law practice which would span over 50 years. In 1952 he formed VanderVeen Freihofer & Cook, his first firm. His specialty was always municipal law, and he represented several townships in and around Kent and Ottawa Counties, including Kentwood, Cascade, Gaines, and Paris. In addition, he tried many cases, some before the Michigan Supreme Court. Walter's second firm was Freihofer Oosterhouse DeBoer & Barnhart where he continued to represent various municipalities. His last firm was Law Weathers Richardson, where he spent the last 15 years of his practice. Walter was City Attorney for Kentwood for over 20 years, was a past President of the Grand Rapids Bar Association, and was a life member of the 6th Circuit Judicial Conference. His family and friends knew him best as an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed duck hunting, fishing, and his sometimes uncooperative vegetable garden. Always the wordsmith, Walter also enjoyed crossword puzzles and crushing his children at Scrabble. He will certainly always be remembered for his gentle good nature and his wonderful sense of humor. He married Sybil Shallenberger in 1948 and had two children by that marriage, Ellen and Charles. Following Sybil's untimely death in 1954 he married Susan Steketee in 1957 and had three children, Daniel, Charlotte, and Paul. Walter is survived by his wife Susan, his youngest brother William, many nieces and nephews, and his five children Ellen, Charles, Daniel, Charlotte, and Paul, as well as nine grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to The Porter Hills Foundation, the Grand Rapids YMCA, or to Ducks Unlimited. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday June 9th at 11a.m. at St. Marks Episcopal Church. The family is being served by the
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Our hearts go out to you, Susan, Ellen, Charlie, Dan, Charlotte and Paul, at this sad time. We are thinking of you all and hope the memories of such a wonderful man and father linger on and on. His kindness, gentle spirit and warm sense of humor will not be forgotten.
Love to you. Emily and Richard Fladgate and children,
Kerikeri New Zealand
June 9, 2012
Susan and family-
Our heartfelt condolences on the loss of Walter. His gentle nature and quiet sense of humor was a blessing to all of us as we got to know him. We pray the next several months especially will be filled with good memories and a sense of peace for you and your family.
Jonay Casares
June 8, 2012
Always a great day when you had some interchange with Walter. I enjoyed him immensely and along with so many others miss him immensely. My condolences to all of Walters family.
Bob Browne (Ada Mi.)
June 7, 2012
I will miss knowing that Walter is in this world. Condolences to you all (with a special hug for Ellen). I am very sorry for your loss
Marilyn Green
June 6, 2012
Walt will be dearly missed, he was a great hunter and fisherman. I remember many times going to Indian Joes with him and my father and walking the woods. He had a great sense of humor. Joe and Effy will get to be with him now that God has given him his ultimate freedom.
John Green
June 6, 2012
Thanks to all our family friends, relatives and my Dad's former business associates for your condolences. If it wasn't for you there wouldn't have been an audience for the Wabash Canonball, guests at cocktail parties, or funny stories of all the characters over the years. I am sad he is no longer with us, but happy he lived such a long, wonderful life. Hope to see you all this weekend!
Paul Freihofer
June 6, 2012
Freihofer family- so many fun times with this Great Man. You are in the thoughts and prayers of the Berry family.
Ed Merry
June 6, 2012
Imagining Walter is teeing off with Fred and Lib and the rest of the gang up there.
A wonderful man!
Thoughts and prayers to all the Freihofer family.
Mary (Gillett) Cash
June 5, 2012
So sorry to hear of the passing of Walter he and Susan were a big part of my life growing up.
Mark Gillett
June 5, 2012
Paul, Caroline, Joe, Anna and extended family-
It was awesome to meet/see your dad at Joe's football/basketball games. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. xxoo, DeRoos Family
June 4, 2012
And of course who could forget the "Wabash Cannonball"? Godspeed Walter and condolences to Susan and the family.
Kate (Pew) Wolters
June 3, 2012
Freihofer family,
Walter was larger than life, one in a million! He'll be missed by many. Condolences to you all.
Bill Green
June 3, 2012
I am so glad we had the chance to know him. Much love to all the Freihofers'. Margy (Albers) Lyman
June 3, 2012
God bless you, Walt.
Kelly
June 3, 2012
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