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Walter Beineke Obituary
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Walter was born on March 7, 1938, in Indianapolis to Frank and Ada Beineke. A graduate of Shortridge High School in 1956, he pursued his passion for forestry at Purdue University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1960. Shortly after graduation, Walter married his high school sweetheart, Kay Brock, on June 25, 1961. Together, they embarked on an academic journey that took them to North Carolina, where Walter earned a master's degree from Duke University in 1961 and a Ph.D. from North Carolina State University in 1966.
In 1964, Walter and Kay settled in West Lafayette, Indiana, where he began his distinguished career as a professor of Forestry at Purdue University. Over his 34-year tenure until his retirement in 1998, Walter received numerous awards recognizing his excellence as an educator. His students were always his top priority, and he was known for his easygoing personality, infectious sense of humor, and unwavering commitment to their success. These qualities fostered lifelong friendships with students across the country.
Walter is survived by his daughters Sara Macy (Doug) and Linda Meyers (John); his brother Larry Beineke (Sharon); and five grandchildren: Grace Robinson (Bailey), Eric Malone (Clare), Kate Duffy (Brendan), Joshua Meyers, and Jacob Meyers. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kay.
Walter often said he was blessed with a perfect life filled with family and friends. Those who knew him will fondly remember his wit and humor-especially his knack for confidently making up an answer when he didn't know one! May his memory bring comfort to all who loved him.
An outdoor memorial gathering is planned for the spring.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Walter, please visit our floral store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Marcia Droege
May 27, 2025
When I first met Walt, he made me laugh and he always brought joy into my life. Walt would come down to South/West Indianar after I moved there, he to spend time learning about the climate, and then started planting Black Walnut Trees, of course.
After spending many years teaching Dendrology Walt had most everyone believing that he could identify trees anywhere. This included riding in a car going 60mph down a state highway, but when he stated out loud "is that a Southern Red Oak? While riding with me. Well I looked in my rear view mirror and then hit the brakes. When we came to a full stop I demanded to know where this surprising Southern Red Oak was. I will never forget the look on his face, he was totally flabbergasted that anyone would doubt his identification. Then he burst out laughing, saying that "only you would do that." We spent another 10mins laughing together before we drove on. Walt also loved spending time playing with my daughter. When ever he came down to visit my husband Paul and I would open our home to Walt and his grad students, and our baby daughter would sit in her highchair listening to our talk and laughing for hours. I thank you Walt for all the support, joy and laughter you brought into my life, I will remember you always.
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Dr Jordan Lee
January 19, 2025
Walt loved the image on his Walnut tree book, very proud of his child drawing it for him and showing poison ivy, what he called his nemesis.
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