Stephen Walach

Steven and I go back a long time. We both went to Saint Joseph's parochial school in Central Falls back in the 1950's and were friends. We met up again years later and were both in the class of 1970 at Brown University. I noticed the obituary in the Brown alumni magazine. He was a kind and gentle man and will be missed. The photo album was great and brings back a lot of memories.

Mr. Walach was a wonderful teacher to me during my time at Friends Academy. His lessons on literature and writing ignited in me a love of literary analysis and creative writing. I will never forget writing a 70-page story for his sixth grade class. I also recall learning about ultimate frisbee from him at recess and on field days! Decades (!) later, I pursued creative writing in my undergraduate and graduate programs. I owe much of my initial success to his kind encouragement. He was one of...

As a colleague at Friends Academy, Steve Walach was, in my mind at least, always Doc Walach or Saint Stephen. The man was an epitome of kindness and humility, and yet, multi-faceted. Apropos the kindness, I personally will never forget his support of the goofy plays we put on at Friends - he generously laughed at all the right moments. I am still grateful for that kindness. I can only imagine the kindness he must have shown for those in his family and the Pawtucket community. As for humility,...

Steve's obituary beautifully says what I have felt is so true since he came for an interview at Friends Academy 21 years ago. He listened to folks, young and old, and he reflected back on those lucky enough to be within his circle (halo) their best selves. He just seemed to make those who knew him want to try to be the best they could and not to worry about the little stuff. Even after long absences, he welcomed me back, setting up our walks and chats at Friends Academy or our get-togethers...

Steve, I will miss you. You were my colleague at Ransom. You taught English including teaching my son. I was always proud of the Organic Garden you initiated and kept going even on weekends and vacation weeks. Clubs like that made being the Activities Director worthwhile. I even got to visit you in Rhode Island and have dinner next to and from your beautiful garden there. Peace, my friend.

Dear Walach family,
I had the pleasure of meeting Steve at several of my grandson’s baseball games over the last three years. He would come when the games were in Pawtucket. Very nice man, with lots of knowledge & a love of the game. I enjoyed talking with him. RIP Steve, my deepest sympathies to the family.

My sincerest condolences.

As a fellow classmate of Steve's reading all he accomplished and believed in is heartwarming but not surprising. Steve was not one for hoopla and recognition. His was a quiet, friendly support for all people. Whether it was teaching and guiding students l, much as I did for 28 years or creating gardens to help the less fortunate, he did it in his own quiet years. We shared a few conversations the past years about our mothers, mine past away a year ago at 10. He was always fun to talk to at...

I don't even know where to begin -- I was blessed to work with Steve at Friends Academy. My daughter Hannah was lucky enough to have him as a teacher and she worked in the FA Garden alongside him -- a truly kind, compassionate and remarkable man .. my heart is very sad today and I send my deepest condolences to his family and to all that were lucky enough to know him.