R. Donald "Don" Walp

R. Donald "Don" Walp, of Macungie, PA, formerly of Allentown, passed away at his home on March 9, 2016 at the age of 99. He was married to Teresa (Nikischer) Walp of Allentown. Don was the son of the late Robert Andrews Walp and Blanche (Kratz) Walp. He graduated from Allen High School, Class of 1934, and completed a degree in Mining Engineering at Lehigh University. After college, he worked in the copper mines at Bisbee, Arizona and later as an engineer with the Bethlehem Steel coal mines in Western Pennsylvania. In 1943 he received a commission as an officer in the 130th Naval Construction Battalion (Sea-Bees), serving as a company commander during the invasion of Okinawa, WWII. After the war, at the request of his parents, he returned to Allentown to manage the family restaurant, Walp's Restaurant, with his sister, Thelma Walp Barnes. It was at this time that he met the love of his life, Theresa Nikischer. They were happily married for 69 years. He credited the success of Walp's Restaurant to his father's business acumen, the hard work of his mother and her Pennsylvania Dutch recipes, his sister Thelma Barnes, his brother-in law, Frank Nikischer, and his employees, many of whom worked at Walp's for nearly fifty years. After retiring from the business at age 70, he and his wife spent the winters in Florida and traveled extensively in the United States and Europe. He particularly enjoyed his work with Walp's Restaurant and teaching his children to play golf, tennis, and to ski. Don was active in local affairs serving as a church councilman for Saint Paul's Lutheran Church. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church of Allentown, and affiliated with the First Presbyterian Church in Delray Beach, Florida. He was a former member of the Allentown Exchange Club, and the Oakmont Tennis Club, a founding member and vice president of the Northeast Kiwanis Club, and one of the founders and second president of the Lehigh Valley Restaurant Association. He was a former member of Brookside Country Club and the Lehigh Country Club. The Boy Scouts was a passion of Don's. He earned many awards and honors as a Boy Scout himself, including that of Eagle Scout. For many years he served on the Minsi Trails Boy Scout Council, and in 1997 was awarded the "Distinguished Eagle Scout Award," an award granted to Eagle Scouts who distinguished themselves in their life's work, voluntarily sharing their talents with the community. At the time of his death he was the oldest Eagle Scout in the Minsi Trails Council. Survivors: Don is survived by his wife, Teresa, his daughter Susan of Chelsea, Vermont, his son Robert and his wife Trudy, his son Mark, and his granddaughter, Eliza, all of Chestertown, NY. Don was predeceased by his sisters Thelma Barnes and Jean Decker. Services: Funeral service at Stephens Funeral Home, Inc., 274 N. Krocks Road, Allentown, will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 12. A calling hour will be held at the funeral home immediately preceding the service, starting at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Minsi Trails Council, Boy Scouts of Americs, 991 Postal Rd., Allentown, Pa 18109.