Name: Calling hours for Walter M. May
Start: 2015-04-01T13:30:00.000Z
End: 2015-04-01T14:00:00.000Z
Location: J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home Inc.

May, Walter M.Walter M. May, 97, of Luther Crest Retirement Community, So. Whitehall Twp., formerly of Harris York, Macungie, died March 27, 2015, at home. He was the husband of the late A. Hazel May. Walter worked as an engineer and C.O.O. at Mack Trucks, retiring as Vice President of the Engineering Department. He held many engine and transmission patents that are still used in truck manufacturing 60 years later. Born in New York City, he was the son of the late Walter H. and Janet (Forbes) May. He was a 1939 graduate of M.I.T. He was an Eagle Scout, and was a wrestler in High School. During WWII, he worked for the Civil Defense Department. He and his wife Hazel were benefactors at M.I.T., Cedar Crest College and Lehigh Valley Medical Center. He enjoyed traveling and visiting many exotic places! Survivors: Daughter: Susan wife of Paul Trexler of Seminole, FL., Step-Sons: Malcolm W. Heckman and his wife Joanne of Galloway Twp., NJ and Ronald B. Heckman and his wife Pamela of Emmaus, Fiancée: Carol R. Cook of Topton, 10 Grandchildren, 20 Great-Grandchildren and 1 Great-Great-Grandchild. Services: A Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, at 10 A.M. in the J. S.Burkholder Funeral Home 16th and Hamilton Sts. Allentown. Call Wednesday, from 9:30 A.M. to 10 A.M. in the funeral home. www.jsburkholder.com Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Compassionate Choices, P.O. Box 101810 Denver, CO 80250.

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Published by Morning Call from Mar. 29 to Mar. 30, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Walter May

Sponsored by J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home Inc..

14 Entries

Alexander Slocum

March 28, 2021

I never met Walter or Hazel but carry with pride their names as the Walter M. May and A. Hazel May Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT. My students hear the story of how he built his career and had the foresight to endow a mechanical engineering chair; it will be mechanical engineers who wrk with others to create the production hardware to address the huge challenges we and future generations face. Every paper I publish bears their names in that way. God bless us all as we pass on wisdom to future generations. see for example: Trash to treasure
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S136403212030561X

Black Into Green (BIG)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.03.158

IPHROS: (Integrated Pumped Hydro & Reverse Osmosis)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213138816300492

Alexander Slocum

June 27, 2018

I am honored to be the Walter M. May and A. Hazel May Professor of Mechanical Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology: this endowed chair was made possible by the generous gift of the May family. Walter was a brilliant inventor of mechanisms who worked with industry to make machines to help make life better; and I will do my best to carry forth his legacy of invention and mentoring and looking forward to help the next generation to help themselves and others who will follow them...
Alexander Slocum.

MIKE DIAMOND

April 8, 2015

suzie, so sorry to hear of the passing of your father...my prays are with you and your family

Frank Bio

April 6, 2015

I was deeply saddened to hear of Walter May's passing. I've had the honor of passing by Walter in the halls at Mack and the Tech Center.

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I was deeply saddened to hear of Walter May's passing. had the honor to pass him in the halls occasionally and will remember him as the father of the Maxidyne.

March 31, 2015

A associate for many years, he helped Mack remain the "The greatest name in trucks"! Learned a great deal from him and he was a industry Icon!

Jack and Rosemary Curcio

Hagen McGuire

March 30, 2015

I was deeply saddened to learn of Walter's passing. He was a big supporter of our efforts at Mack International and he and Hazel frequently entertained our major overseas distributors in their home. The world was a far better place with them in it.

Judith Hausman

March 30, 2015

My sympathies to the family. My husband, Ronald, worked as the only welder in the "Test Shed" in the late 50's and early 60's. Mr. May would always look to see what project he was doing, even as much as getting on a creeper and getting under a truck wih him. He was the greatest mentor, for a 22 year old, whose knowledge was invaluable. He truly was the biggest asset to all he came in contact. Whenever we reminisced about the years at Mack, Walter was always remembered. He was one of a kind.

Dennis Grejda

March 30, 2015

To the May Family,
It is with regret we learn of Mr. May's passing. He was one of our greatest influences here at Mack as I look back on my 37 year career. He was a mentor to all of us in Mack Engineering. I remember him always correcting me when I called him Mr. May saying "my name is Walter". May you his family be consoled that he is now in Good Hands and he will still wear the "Mack Badge of Honor" to those of us who worked for him.

Paul & Gisele Ouellette

March 30, 2015

We did not know him personally but we did through Mack Trucks. An awesome man that helped create an awesome truck. A big Thank You to Walter M. May.. May you RIP...

Kevin Scarbel

March 30, 2015

Mr. May, your brilliance in truck engineering put the world on notice that America's Mack Trucks was the best truckmaker in the world. The positive effects that your genius had on thousands of Mack employees and their families over generations, customers and trucking companies around the world is indescribable, and will forever be remembered. Like your fellow Eagle Scout Zenon C.R. Hansen, you exemplified all that makes America wholesome and good, and the greatest country on earth. Thank you

Lori Loccarini

March 29, 2015

Dear Suzi & Paul,
We are so sorry for the loss of your father. May your memories always make you smile.
Love, Lori & Terry Loccarini

Agnes Gackenbach

March 29, 2015

You were a shining star at Mack. My deepest condolences. Agnes G

March 29, 2015

With fond memories, Ivy Kuhns, secretary

Phyllis Smith

March 29, 2015

Dear Susie,
So sorry to read about the passing of your dad. My thoughts go out to you and your family. If you have time while you are here I would love to hear from you. Did not know your dad was at Luther Crest. I play bride there twice a month.
Fondly.
Phyllis Smith

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