Walter A. Plesniak

1941 - 2023

Walter Anthony Plesniak, age 82, of Mt. Airy, Maryland, passed away peacefully with family by his side at Silverado Memory Care in Frederick, Maryland, on December 22, 2023, after a four-year battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Walt was born on August 5, 1941 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Anthony and Anna Plesniak.

Walt is survived by his wife of 45 years, Bernadette Jean Plesniak; two sons, Adam Plesniak (wife Peggy) of Huntington Beach, California and David Plesniak (wife Courtney) of Sacramento, California. He has two wonderful grandchildren, Anna, 8 and Grant, 5 of Huntington Beach. He is also survived by his sister, Carol Bates of Glassport, Pennsylvania; his niece, Danielle Bates and family; a favorite cousin, Annette Golik of McKeesport, Pennsylvania; and is predeceased by his lifelong friend and confidant Michael Hogan of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Walt graduated from Glassport High School class of '59 in Glassport, Pennsylvania and worked for 47 years at Goddard Space Flight Center as an engineering technician in the Thermal and Vibration Test Lab. Prior to that, he worked in Washington D.C. as an equipment technician and also spent time in his twenties working as a watch repair technician in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

His greatest pleasure was gardening: growing impressive tomatoes, cherries, peaches, horseradish, sweet corn, and purple asparagus. He grew and harvested his own grapes, producing his own blends of red wine. Walt also loved to ski, and enjoyed ski trips to Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Vermont, California and Switzerland, as well as many trips to Ski Liberty in nearby Pennsylvania. He and his wife Bernie traveled extensively; Walt's favorite trips were to Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, and his cultural homeland of Poland.

From sharing his produce with others to helping neighbors in need, Walt was a kind and generous man. His marriage to Bernie was one of love, sweetness, and steadfastness-'a kiss and a head bump.' His strong work ethic, "doing it right the first time" attitude, appreciation of life experiences, and passion for skiing and gardening will live on in his sons and grandchildren.

The Plesniak family will receive friends at Hartzler Funeral Home-Libertytown, 11802 Liberty Rd., Frederick, Maryland on Friday, January 5 from 4-7 p.m.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 6 at 10 a.m. at St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 9201 Green Valley Rd, Libertytown, Maryland. Father Chuck Wible will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, adjacent to the church.

Memorial donations may be made to Frederick Health Hospice, at 240-566-3073 or St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, at 301-898-5111.

Leave a message or memory on his "tribute wall" at www.hartzlerfuneralhome.com. Walter A. Plesniak