Walter Leffin

1928 - 2013

Leffin, Walter W.

Walter W. Leffin, age 84, of Oshkosh passed away on July 8, 2013, at Bethel Nursing Home in Oshkosh. Walt was born on August 29, 1928 in Sheboygan, WI, the son of Arnold and Pauline (Kramer) Leffin. Walt married Joyce Lanpheer on August 9, 1952 at the Methodist Church in Glenbeulah, WI. He graduated from Sheboygan Central High School in 1946, a member of the National Honor Society. Following high school Walt enlisted in the Navy serving from 1946-1948 aboard the destroyer, U. S. S. Gurke.

Walt received his B.S. Degree from the University of Northern Colorado and his Masters and PhD Degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1952, Walt began his professional career teaching mathematics in Reno, Nevada, Reedsburg, and Monona Grove. Walt joined the faculty of secondary education, mathematics education, and human resources at UW-Oshkosh in 1968. Included in his service, Walt was assigned several short-term Acting Dean positions in the education department. He was instrumental in the formation of a Summer Elementary Institute for area teachers and administrators. He also served on a writing committee for the Wisconsin Department of Public Guidelines, for the Mathematics Curriculum, for the state of Wisconsin. During his career at UW-Oshkosh, Walt authored or co-authored 14 textbooks and publications, relevant to both high school and college educators. He was a member of the committee on films and television for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). In 1974, Walt served as the president of the Wisconsin Mathematics Council. Walt was awarded the National Science Foundation fellowships in 1956 and 1963. During the summers of 1958-1960 he also worked as a research assistant under Dr. Preston Hammar at UW-Madison. Walt retired in 1991.

Walt was a member of St. Andrews Lutheran Church, serving on the church council and assisting in the Mercy Care Companion program for several years. He also enjoyed golfing, playing poker, cooking, spending wintertime in Arizona and summers vacationing at his Mercer cottage. Walt's greatest joy was spending time with his family and supporting their educational pursuits.

Walt was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Pauline Leffin; in-laws, Allen and Florence Lanpheer; and brother, William W. Leffin. Survivors include his wife, Joyce Leffin, Oshkosh; three sons, Michael (Terie) Leffin, Verona, David (Sharon) Leffin, Valencia, CA, and Steven (Dawn) Leffin, Milton, GA; one brother, James (Barb) Leffin; one sister-in-law, Marjorie Leffin; one brother-in-law, Richard (Judy) Lanpheer; six grandchildren, Matthew (Gretchen) Culver, Courtney (Michael) Rauenzahn, Samantha, Mikayla, Haley, and Corley Leffin; and five great-grandchildren.

Walt's family would like to express their deepest gratitude to all of the doctors and nurses at Affinity Hospital, for all of the special care given by the staffs at Bethel Nursing Home and Affinity Hospice, and Pastor Karen Jewell.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Walt Leffin has established a memorial for a scholarship for UW-Oshkosh students in need of financial assistance. In lieu of flowers please send a check to UW-O Foundation, 842 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh, WI 54901.