Walter Paul Loebenberg

LOEBENBERG, Walter Paul

Born May 22, 1924, in Waechterbach, Germany, died in his sleep at home, January 29, 2019, St. Petersburg, FL.

Walter was predeceased by his wife of almost 62 years, Edith Lowengard Loebenberg (deceased, April 19, 2010). He is survived by his three children, Sandy L. Mermelstein and her husband, Kent "Scooter" Bontly, Michael J. Loebenberg and his wife, Terry, and David A. Loebenberg; eight grandchildren, Kenneth Loebenberg and wife, Priscilla, Joshua Loebenberg and wife, Jennifer, Jacob Loebenberg, Angelica Loebenberg and husband, James Sweat, Ari Mermelstein and his wife, Carrie, Eric Loebenberg and wife, Andee, Jared Mermelstein, and Zachary Loebenberg; and seven great-grandchildren.

As a Jewish child in pre-WWII Germany, Walter's education was cut short by the Nazi antisemitic policies forcing him to apprentice for a trade as a baker, which was where he was on Kristallnacht in November of 1938. He arrived at Ellis Island May 22, 1939, his 15th birthday.

Walter served in the European theater in WWII, where his service during the Battle of the Bulge was recognized with the award of the Bronze Star presented personally by General Dwight D. Eisenhower. After the war, Walter settled in Chicago, courted his future wife and true love, "Edie," and began a business career spanning seven decades. Edith and Walter settled in St. Petersburg in 1969, where they devoted themselves to family and community. Of all their many accomplishments together, the one most dear to Walter's heart was the founding of the Florida Holocaust Museum.

Graveside services will be held at 1 pm, today, Thursday, January 31, at Chapel Hill Memorial Park, 12905 Wild Acres Road, Largo. A memorial service will be held at the museum at a date to be soon announced. In honor of Walter and his beloved wife, Edie, the family requests in lieu of flowers, remembrances should be made to the Florida Holocaust Museum, St. Petersburg, Florida. Online guestbook at davidcgross.com. David C. Gross Funeral Homes, 6366 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, (727) 381-4911.