Walter G. Witzel

Walter G. Witzel, 90, of Bedford died Friday, November 16, 2018 in the company of his loving family.

Walter was born in Queens, NY on August 16, 1928 to Martin J. and Dora L. (Diers) Witzel. He lived in Queens until his family moved to Manchester, NH in 1938. He was a graduate of Central High School Class of 1946. He enlisted in the US Army, proudly serving his country from 1951 through 1953. Walter married Dorothy L. Specht on April 18, 1953 and the couple resided on Pine Street in Manchester, NH. In
1958, they purchased their home on Darling Street in Bedford, NH where they raised a family and lived the rest of their years.

Walter had an extensive career as an insurance agent with Nationwide Insurance. He was a long-time dedicated member of the Bedford Lions Club. He joined the Club in 1966, a year after it was chartered by National. Walt was president three times spanning three decades. He was Co-founder and
Co-Chairman of the Bedford Lions Scholarship Program for 48 years. Walt was also Lion of the Year and awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship by Lions Club International, a highly prestigious international award. The Bedford Lions have dedicated this year's Scholarship Program to Walt for his nearly 50 years of service to the club and the community. He was as an active member of the Masons, Lafayette Bible Lodge #41. Walter was a 50-year member award recipient and had been a member for 57 years. He received a Certificate of Membership, Order of Eastern Star for fifty-five years. It was presented by the Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star of New Hampshire in 2017. Walt was a safety instructor with the NH Marine Patrol Department of Marine Safety and taught boating education courses for more than a decade. He was also a volunteer marine patrol officer on Lake Winnipesaukee and a certified boat safety inspector. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, boating, and hunting as well as leather making
and woodworking, spending countless hours handcrafting wooden toys and gifts for his children, grandchildren, and other children in the community. Though Walter had multiple hobbies and pastimes, his two main passions were stamp-collecting and photography. Walter was thoughtful, selfless, and generous, giving so much of his time and energy back to the community he loved so deeply. He touched many lives in so many ways. His absence will be felt by all who knew him.
Walter is survived by his children, Valerie Tarbell and her husband, Robert of Manchester, and Jeffrey G. Witzel and his fiancée, Debbie Rosendale, of FL; grandsons Jason Tarbell and his wife, Kathy, of Dover, Joshua Tarbell of Alton, and J. Garrett Witzel of FL; and his great-grandson, Wesley Heinly. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Dorothy Witzel, in 2008, as well as his brother, Fred Witzel.

Family and friends are invited to gather for calling hours on Monday, November 26th from 4:00-8:00 pm at Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 243 Hanover Street in Manchester. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, November 27th at 10:00 am in the funeral home chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bedford Lions Club, ATTN: Ernie Henrichon, PO Box 10083, Bedford, NH. To view a full obituary, service information, and a chronicle of Walter's involvement with the Lions Club, or to leave a message of condolence, please go to www.phaneuf.net.