W. Wallace Kaenzig USMC, RTD

1920 - 2021

Kaenzig, W. Wallace USMC, RTD, - 100, of Cologne, NJ passed away on Friday, January 8, 2021 surrounded by his family. Wally was born in Egg Harbor City, NJ on October 2, 1920 to parents, William N. Kaenzig and Adeline Hanselmann Kaenzig. Wally is survived by his son, William W. Kaenzig Jr. and daughter, Kimberly Kaenzig Hall. Wally Kaenzig is also survived by his six grandchildren, Katherine Kaenzig, Nicholas Kaenzig, Chris Hall, Jessica Hall Grant, Allison Vernon Rebenack, and Stephen Vernon; as well as eleven great-grandchildren, Brian, David, Matthew, Nicholas, Aiden and Ian Hall, Megan and MacKenzie Rebenack, Emelene, Easton, and Levi Vernon; and two great-great-grandchildren, William Hall and Jordan Hall. Wally's wife of 72 years, Dorothy Mueller Kaenzig and his eldest daughter, Karen Kaenzig Vernon, predeceased him. Wally grew up in Cologne attending the two-room schoolhouse that was then Cologne School. He attended Egg Harbor City High School, where he was president of his class freshman through senior year. He lettered in baseball for four years and basketball for three years, graduating in 1938. Wally graduated from Rutgers University in 1942 with a major in agriculture. In his senior year, Wally enlisted in the Marine Corps. As a member of the 4th Marine Division, he served in the Pacific from 1942 until the end of the WWII and is a veteran of four amphibious assault landings; Rio Namur, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. Returning from the war, Wally and Dorothy lived on their farm while Wally taught agriculture at a local high school. With the outbreak of the Korean War, Wally returned to the Marine Corps. Over the length of his career, Wally commanded three battalions; 3rd Bat 10th Marines, 4th Btln 10th Marines and Headquarters Btl headquarters Marine Corps. Wally completed his Master of Education at American University in Washington, DC while in the Marines. After twenty-six years of services, Wally retired in 1968 joining the staff of then Atlantic Cape Community College and retiring as Dean of Students Emeritus in 1982. Upon his second retirement, Wally joined with his wife, Dorothy and Wally Jr., graduate of Rutgers University Cook College, to pursue a third career raising flowers and Christmas trees on the family farm. Wally Kaenzig was a member of American Legion Post 430 in Galloway Twp. for seventy years, where he served as commander, adjutant, Atlantic County Legion Service Officer, and district chairman of the Legions State Oratorical Program. Wally chaired many Legion Memorial Day services at Germania Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Dorothy; his mother, Adeline; his father, William; and his daughter, Karen. Services will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wimberg Funeral Home, 400 Liverpool Ave, Egg Harbor City, NJ 609-965-0357. For condolences, please visit wimbergfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Marine Corp Foundation, Rutgers University Scholarship Fund, or Atlantic Cape Community College Scholarship Fund.