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Walter Kaufmann Obituary
September 22, 2020
Fort Worth, Texas - Chef, innovator, bon vivant, and local icon Walter Kaufmann peacefully ascended to that great kitchen in the sky on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the age of 91.
Walter was the architect of local fine-dining. After working as a sous chef at Ridglea Country Club and dining room manager of Colonial Country Club, the Lucerne, Switzerland native brought European-style cuisine to Fort Worth's non-country club members in 1964. HIs restaurant of 30 years, Old Swiss House, was a culinary station of the cross for area diners. Kaufmann's charm in the dining room was as legendary as the convivial atmosphere of his dining room and lounge. Broadway songs were performed nightly by pianists James Davis and Danny Wright, with Betty Buckley on vocals. More than a culinary beacon, Kaufmann's restaurant democratized great food, as restaurant-goers from all walks of life spent birthdays, anniversaries, and every other imaginable occasion in Walter's meticulous care.
Walter briefly retired in 1993, until Chef Louise Lamensdorf hired him to run the dining room of Bistro Louise, where he worked for nine years. He didn't exactly ride off quietly into the sunset during his golden years. In November 2009, he joined Fresh Point Dallas as a chef consultant, working with his longtime friends from the LaBarba family and Steve Poole. His position there allowed him to pay visits to and mentor up-and-coming chefs, restaurateurs, line cooks, general managers, servers, and sommeliers. Hundreds of these service industry professionals valued the warm support Walter showed everyone he met, making them feel noticed and appreciated. He worked part-time until his actual retirement two years ago, at the age of 89.
Walter accrued too many awards and honors to mention, but he was especially proud to be the recipient of the Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award — an honor that was named after him at its inception in 2015. He used his celebrity to give back to the city that he said gave so much to him. He founded the Culinary Library of Texas, a vast collection of restaurant menus and cookbooks by local authors, housed at the Tarrant Area Food Bank. The Walter Kaufmann Chef's Holiday Pantry has raised thousands of dollars for the TAFB. He was named board member emeritus of the Tarrant County Chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association, and he served on the boards of the Texas and Fort Worth Chefs Associations.
Walter is survived by his wife Glenda Kaufmann, son Kenneth Kaufmann, stepdaughter Becky Miller and husband Scott, grandchildren Garrett and Zoey Miller, nephew Robert Penix and wife Roxanne, family members Chris Clifton and wife Crystal, Bob McCamey and wife Becky, and the thousands of lives he touched and influenced through his generous and kind spirit.
The family would like to send special thanks to Dr. Alan Davenport and Dr. Frank Liao, who kept Walter with us much longer than we anticipated; the staff of Community Hospice of Texas, who provided such wonderful homecare services; Chaplin Terry Little, doctors Agena and Chang, and all of the 4th-floor nurses at the James L. West Building, who are truly angels and helped him rest so peacefully; and the residents of Hampton Place, who are more like family than neighbors.
In lieu of flowers, Walter requested donations be made to the Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation's Education/Scholarship Fund, the Fort Worth Chapter of the Texas Chef's Association, or a charity of your choice.
True to form, Walter is helping others even after his passing. He donated his body to the UNT Health Science center for research. At his request, a memorial service will be held soon. He didn't want one person risking COVID-19 on his account.
He's now reunited with his first wife Nancy, his best friend Ben Green, and all of the culinary icons who he loved and revered. We're certain Walter is enjoying a nice glass of wine at heaven's "Les Amis d' Escoffier Society" dinner while toasting to all the happy memories he made in Fort Worth.
Send charitable donations to:
Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation, Culinary Education/Scholarships
209 W. 2nd St., Ste. 336, Fort Worth, TX 76102.
Fort Worth Chapter of the Texas Chefs Association, Programs and Events in Honor of Walter Kaufmann
2605 Las Ventanas Tr., Fort Worth, TX 76131.
Photo courtesy of Ralph Lauer/360 West Magazine.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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3 Entries
Mark Meeks
March 12, 2023
Mark and Marcus aka Peewee old workers your family has our condolences hello Kenneth..
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Dave Anderson
September 30, 2020
I hope Glenda gets to see this. Hey Ft. Worth folks...if you lived in Ft. Worth a while back you made Old Swiss House your special occasion restaurant. Tableside Caesar's salad made and flaming desserts.
The owner Walter Kauffmann passed away.
I knew Walter when I was the manager at Bistro Louise for 3 years. He was the dinner manager. No one...and I mean no one had his style, finesse, and customer attention.
I will miss him knowing he has passed. And yet he lives on in many of the things I do.
Here's to ya Walter!
Please note: I realize this makes a long post...but I just HAVE to share with you my favorite Walter story. True to form. I lingered at Bistro Louise for a little while after Walter came on duty one evening. I was having my dinner near the front, in a side dining area. A party of 5 came in. 2 men and women couples and a single woman. Walter knew them immediately. He asked one lady how she was doing, and then she he had heard she had a bad fall on vacation. The woman confirmed that she fell many feet in Switzerland skiing and was rescued, hospitalized, surgery, and rehab. Was gone for several weeks. Life threatening even. The single woman with these couples was introduced then to be the doctor that saved the first woman's life and was chief of her recovery team. The former patient, the host of the group, said she would have died were it not for this brilliant doctor.
She insisted that the doctor come to Ft. Worth and visit and she did. The host then told Walter that since she has been in Ft. Worth she had been miserable. Not speaking much English. And just kinda isolating herself. The hosts were thinking maybe an elegant, 4 star, meal would help. Walter listened and smiled at everyone there. The doctor looked so sad, removed, and miserable.
Walter turned toward the woman and began to speak Swiss German to her! The doctor's mouth flew open, and a smile that she had not shown appeared. She and Walter stood and talked and both laughing. The 2 couples were relieved and amazed. Other people came in and Walter had another person seat them. He continued to go to their table throughout their meal.
Upon completion Walter invited all of the 5 to join him for a special lunch the next day...and Walter put on his white chef's jacket and cooked lunch and served it the next day to his guests. On him!
It was a live version of the little girl in the original Miracle on 34th St. Mr. Walter was a quiet miracle many times!
Rodney and Gale Johnston
September 29, 2020
He was a true Gentleman and his culinary talents were excellent. He was fun to travel with and on one trip, he took us to Switzerland and showed us the original Old Swiss House. He left a true legacy on the Ft. Worth dining experience.
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