Walter Leonard Schewe

Walter Leonard Schewe



Walter Leonard Schewe, 87, slipped the bonds of this earth on August 27, 2013 at Genesis Senior Care in Montgomery, Texas. The love of his life, his beloved wife Christine Schewe was at his side as he began his journey.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon Saturday, August 31, 2013 at Rose-Neath's Southside Chapel. Interment will follow in Forest Park West Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 30, 2013 at the funeral home.

Born to J.P. and Effen Schewe on November 6, 1925 in Evanston, Illinois, Walter was the middle child of three. He was a bit of a practical joker as a teenager, and the retelling of his escapades made for excellent fireside stories. He joined the United States Air Force at the age of 17 to become a jet fighter pilot and served proudly through World War II, Viet Nam, and Korea. He retired after 28 years of service to our country and became a minister, pastoring and co-pastoring several churches over the years. Being a pilot was one of his greatest loves and he continued to fly small planes, even giving flight lessons at the local Aero Club until he "grounded" himself when he was in his 70s. He believed you were never too old to keep learning and went back to school, graduating with a PhD in Theology. In his later years, he brought joy and smiles to many as the chaplain at Promise Hospital in Shreveport. He took such joy from his faith, and offered this joy to everyone around him.

The things that stand out in my mind now are less known. Things like Dad was a wonderful magician. He could do the most amazing tricks and he guarded the secrets well, only telling them to his oldest son just recently (who also won't tell). He loved animals, fires in the fireplace, and water, teaching us to swim and ski as children. He loved Pepsi with chocolate syrup in it, chocolate chip pan cookies, real popcorn with real butter (not that microwave junk), vanilla ice cream covered in Hershey's chocolate syrup, and he thought that good gravy should be classified as a beverage. He intensely disliked broccoli and couldn't care less about berries, although he always helped to pick them during the summer. Dad loved gardening and yard work, taking great pride in his flowers. He was a wonderful pianist, and had committed all the pieces he played to memory. It was a sad day for him when his health took his ability to play. Play on Dad, play on.

Walter is survived by his wife of 26 years, Christine Schewe, sons Eric (Donna) Schewe, Damon (Jackie) Schewe, daughters Laura (Shannon) Cleer, Adrienne (Sidney) Smith, grandchildren Shannon R. Cleer, Chrystal Cleer-Padgett, Erica Hayes, Phillip Schewe,Jessica Benfield, and Bonnie Smith, several great grandchildren, and step-sons Ted (Michelle) Grappe, Christopher (Tracy) Grappe, and David (Lisa) Grappe. He will be greeted on the other side by those that have gone on before him, which include his parents, J.P. and Effen Schewe, his brother Russell, and sister Janet. As many as there are here waving good-bye, there are so many more there to welcome you.

A special thank you to the wonderful staff at Genesis Senior Care in Montgomery Texas and Traditions Hospice in Conroe Texas for their loving care and support.