Walter Richard Byer

Walter Richard Byer ATLANTA, GA.- Walter Richard Byer, 86, passed away Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, at home with his loving wife Lynne Cooke-Byer at his side in Atlanta, Ga. He was born Nov. 23,1927, New York, N.Y., the son of the late Edmond J. Byer and Amelia Mooney Byer. He attended Fordham Prep and Manhattan College. A proud member of the Rosendale and Kingston community for many years he served as the first Police Chief in Rosendale and later worked as a Deputy Sheriff for the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department before going into his own business. He was a loving brother, father and grandfather and is survived by his wife, Lynne Cooke-Byer; sister, Renée O. Smith; his son, Air Force Veteran and Pilot, John Byer, wife Lisa Byer, and his three children Michelle, Jennifer and Madeline; his daughter, Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist Renée C. Byer, husband Paul Kitagaki, Jr., and son, Soccer Entrepreneur, Thomas Byer, wife Midori Byer, and their two children, Kaito and Sho. Walt proudly attended his son’s soccer matches, was known for his unmatched sense of humor and had an appreciation for music, photography, old western movies, and the outdoors. His favorite moments in life were when he could spend time with his family. He was able to light up the room with his musical ability, playing the accordion, key board and later in life the harmonica. Walt touched the heart of many friends and relatives and his spirit lives on in all he loved. Please join the family at a special mass at St. Peter’s church in Rosendale, New York at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2014.