Lancaster, Pa. - Walter Pauk, 105 of Willow Valley Community, Lancaster, Pa., passed away Dec. 7, 2019, in Naples, Fla. Born in New Britain, he resided in Ithaca, N.Y., before retiring to Lancaster in 1994.

Dr. Pauk was a retired professor from Cornell University where he earned a doctorate in education psychology. He went on to become the director of the Reading and Study Skills Center at Cornell. He was a respected speaker and author in the field of reading and study skills, writing over 100 books. His best-known book, "How to Study in College," published almost sixty years ago, is still influencing students today.

He loved the outdoors, enjoying camping, hiking, canoeing and golf. He always kept himself physically fit. He took many multi-week trips in the mountains of the Wind River Range in Wyoming and canoe trips in Quetico Provincial Park in Canada. His last camping adventure was a Canadian canoe trip at the age of 91.

His associations include Cornell University Alumni, Cornell Emeritus Professors, University of Connecticut Alumni, International Reading Association, Reserve Officers Association, Retired Officers Association and the Adirondack Mountains Association. Dr. Pauk served in the United States Army during WWII and the Korean War. He retired as a lieutenant colonel. He was also a member of Boehm's United Methodist Church.

Dr. Pauk was predeceased by his wife Esther Florian Pauk in 2003. He is survived by a son and daughter in Florida. He was a kind, gentle and loving father.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, at Willow Street Mennonite Cemetery, 399 E. Penn Grant Road, Willow Street, Pa.

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.DeBordSnyder.com.

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Published by The Day on Dec. 14, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Walter Pauk

Sponsored by DeBord Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. - Orange Street Location.

6 Entries

Stephen Lambert

December 7, 2022

Dick, hope you are still reflecting on all the great times you had traveling with your father. Blessings

Stephen Raynor

February 14, 2020

As a sophomore my GPA increased from around a 3 to a 3.8 in part from reading his study guide.

And at that time I was unaware that my grandfather would become the oldest living graduate of Cornell.

Joanne Morton

December 16, 2019

Such a remarkable life and contribution to society! His niece, Margaret Palmer, of New London, Connecticut has always spoken so highly of her Uncle Red. Now I know why.

Stephen Lambert

December 14, 2019

Blessings Dick, sorry for you loss. Enjoyed running around the track at Cornell with him. He held his own, even spotting me 40 years!

Mary Belous Stein

December 13, 2019

Condolences to Laurel and her family from the IHS Class of 1969.

Marie Curry

December 12, 2019

My late husband and I were friends with Walter at Willow Valley Retirement Community from 2005 until Walter left WV to live in Fort Myers, Fl,with his daughter. We usually had breakfast with Walter and a couple of other men. One of the men, who knew I had been a high school teacher, asked if I knew that Walter had written a book. I replied that I didn't, but when I returned to my apartment and "googled " Walter, I was astonished. As a freshman in college, I was required to purchase How to Study and Succeed College. Several years later, when I was teaching high school English, I taught my own students Walter's techniques for getting the most out of their studies.Another memory of Walter is his athletic prowess. When my husband and I would go to the fitness center after breakfast, Walter would often be there ahead of us, and would work out at a higher rate than we did, and longer! When Walter and his son would head off into Canada on a canoe trip, I would fret about their safety until they returned. Walter was a remarkable man, an amazing teacher and a friend.

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