Walter Francis "Walt" Podolski PhD

Walter F. "Walt" Podolski, PhD, age 79, a resident of Naperville, IL since 1980, formerly of Oak Lawn and Lemont, IL, passed away on Thursday, October 27, 2022, at his home after a 15-year battle with prostate cancer. He was born April 29, 1943, in Chicago.
Beloved husband of Janice L. Podolski, PhD, whom he married August 24, 1968, loving father of Dr. Jennifer (Scott) Tapavich of West Linn, OR and Daniel Podolski of Tigard, OR, adored grandfather of Jacinda and Kalen Tapavich; Maxwell, Nathaniel and Reese Baurer-Podolski, devoted son of the late Walter F. and Angeline (nee Sledz) Podolski, dear brother of Marian (Ronald) Eckert of Mokena, IL, brother-in-law of Donna (Jack Smith) Babao of California, Alyce (Robert) Zynda of Midland, MI, Joyce Kelley of Spring Arbor, MI and James Bremer, PhD of Chicago, fond uncle, great-uncle and friend of many.
Walt grew up in Oak Lawn, attained the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) program and was a graduate of Brother Rice High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from University of Detroit and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Walt was employed for many years at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, IL, retiring as a group leader in fuel cell technology management.
Walt was a longtime member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Naperville and was a volunteer at the church's DuPage PADS program. He was also an avid volunteer for Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry in Naperville and a member of the Shedd Aquarium Council in Chicago.
Walt was an avid bicyclist, golfer and downhill skier and enjoyed frequent travel with his wife, Janice, both domestic and international.
Visitation will be held Friday, November 4, 2022, 4:00-8:00 PM at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, 44 South Mill Street, Naperville, IL 60540.
Services will begin Saturday, November 5, 9:15 AM from the funeral home and will proceed to a 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 1450 Green Trails Drive, Naperville, IL 60540. The funeral mass will be live-streamed by St. Margaret Mary. Watch the Livestream by clicking HERE.
Future inurnment: Resurrection Cemetery, 7201 Archer Avenue Justice, IL 60458.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Walt's memory may be made to:
Loaves & Fishes Community Services, 1871 High Grove Lane, Naperville, IL 60540, (630) 355-3663, www.loaves-fishes.org
or
The American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, 1-800-227-2345 https://www.cancer.org/