Harold E. "Buzz" Waltz

1943 - 2020

Harold E. "Buzz" Waltz

Rancho Mirage - Harold E. "Buzz" Waltz was born in Toledo, Ohio, July 24, 1943 to parents, Harold E. and Arabella T. Waltz. Buzz passed away due to cancer on March 09, 2020. Upon his father's retirement as a Master Photographer in Toledo, Ohio the Waltz Family moved to Palm Springs, California in the summer of 1950. Senior Waltz continued in photography after their move to the desert.

Buzz started his education by attending Katherine Finchy Grade School followed by schooling at St. Theresa's Catholic School, Palm Valley School, Palm Springs High School and graduating from College of the Desert earning an A.A. Degree in Art. Upon his father passing in 1962, Buzz took the helm of the family business, Harold E. Waltz Photographs and Blueprints specializing in Architectural Photography.

During his long career as a photographer his client list included: Richard Harrison, Donald Wexler, E. Stuart Williams, John Porter Clark, Hugh Kaptur, Howard Lapham, and more. He earned many photography awards along the way.

In 1967 Buzz's photography career was temporarily interrupted by induction in the United States Army. Buzz received his training at Ft. Bliss, Texas and then at Ft. Gordon, Georgia where he graduated as a Military Policeman. He was then stationed as a M.P. to 8th Battalion 7th Artillery Hawk Missile Battalion with the Rank of Specialist E-5. After 2 years of service, Buzz returned to Palm Springs to continue with the family business until the closing of The Blueprint Business in 1991. In 1992 Buzz went to work for the Marriott Corporation as a Supervisor of Desert Springs Photo. It was there that he met the love of his life, Marie May. After leaving The Marriot, he continued with his photography until 2016 as a freelance photographer.

Buzz was very active in his community. He was a member of Palm Springs Jaycees, Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Club, Past President of Palm Springs Exchange Club, Member of Desert Riders and Los Compadres Riding Club, 22 year member of Palm Springs Mounted Police reaching the rank of Sergeant, 40 Year Member of Palm Springs Elks Lodge 1905 and 40 year member of The American Legion, being Past Commander of Owen Coffman Post 519, Palm Springs, California, Past Commander of the 21st District, Department of California American Legion, and most recently Past 5th area commander, Department of California, American Legion.

In addition to Buzz's civic interests, he enjoyed designing, building, and flying his radio controlled aircraft; building his own hot rods, racing at the many tracks throughout southern California; building off road racing cars and racing in Mexico; and operating his boats on The Colorado River and The Pacific Ocean.

Buzz leaves behind his wife of 24 years, Marie, of Rancho Mirage; a step-daughter Karen and step-son David of Texas; a grandson, Shane, who is serving in the Navy; and a granddaughter Brooklyn, of San Diego. Services will be private and Buzz asks that donations be made in he and his wife's dog's name "Dakota" to their favorite charity, Guide Dogs of the Desert.