Obituary for Dr. Walter Ralph Debler
Dr. Walter R. Debler passed away on the morning of Tuesday, December 29, at the age of 91. He was born on May 4, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan to German immigrants, Adolf and Magdalena, and grew up with his beloved elder sister, Antionette “Toni” Pearce.
Walter met his wife, Gertraud Nissl, in 1963 on a ski trip in Germany, and they married that same year. The couple made Ann Arbor their home and Walter cemented his lifelong relationship with the University of Michigan, where he had previously completed his bachelors degree and PhD in mechanical engineering.
Walter had earned his masters degree at the University of Maryland while completing his naval service during the Korean War.
Certainly nothing could get in the way of his love for learning, and he made a life of it. Walter was a celebrated professor with numerous teaching accolades and a career that spanned 40 years. Teaching took him all around the world, to lecture and research at universities in Australia, South Africa, Russia, and Europe, though his favorite destination always remained the cottage he built in northern Michigan. Here he displayed his passion for photography, with pictures of his travels and his family, just some of the thousands he snapped, and which bring his family comfort now.
In his later years, Walter was an avid gardener and woodworker. He was fond of cooking and music, and could often be found reading in his favorite chair. Even in the end, Walter always had a smile and a twinkle in his eye to brighten someone’s day.
Walter is survived by his wife Gertraud; daughters, Margaret and her spouse Allen, Renate and her spouse, Peter; as well as his five grandchildren, Sophia, Gabi, Peter, Gage, and Griffin. His three nephews, Ken, Ralph, and Bruce Pearce were like sons to him and a source of pride, as well as living reminders of his sister.
In lieu of flowers, the family of Walter would like monetary donations to be given to the Doctors without Borders with the following link below.
https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/onetime.cfm?type=tribute&source=ADD200U0U00&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=googlepaid&utm_content=brand&utm_term=sitelink-donate-in-someones-honor&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwYHPksv27QIVnimzAB3r5ApkEAAYASACEgJatPD_BwE
Please sign the Tribute Wall and share a memory of Walter.
Walter met his wife, Gertraud Nissl, in 1963 on a ski trip in Germany, and they married that same year. The couple made Ann Arbor their home and Walter cemented his lifelong relationship with the University of Michigan, where he had previously completed his bachelors degree and PhD in mechanical engineering.
Walter had earned his masters degree at the University of Maryland while completing his naval service during the Korean War.
Certainly nothing could get in the way of his love for learning, and he made a life of it. Walter was a celebrated professor with numerous teaching accolades and a career that spanned 40 years. Teaching took him all around the world, to lecture and research at universities in Australia, South Africa, Russia, and Europe, though his favorite destination always remained the cottage he built in northern Michigan. Here he displayed his passion for photography, with pictures of his travels and his family, just some of the thousands he snapped, and which bring his family comfort now.
In his later years, Walter was an avid gardener and woodworker. He was fond of cooking and music, and could often be found reading in his favorite chair. Even in the end, Walter always had a smile and a twinkle in his eye to brighten someone’s day.
Walter is survived by his wife Gertraud; daughters, Margaret and her spouse Allen, Renate and her spouse, Peter; as well as his five grandchildren, Sophia, Gabi, Peter, Gage, and Griffin. His three nephews, Ken, Ralph, and Bruce Pearce were like sons to him and a source of pride, as well as living reminders of his sister.
In lieu of flowers, the family of Walter would like monetary donations to be given to the Doctors without Borders with the following link below.
https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/onetime.cfm?type=tribute&source=ADD200U0U00&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=googlepaid&utm_content=brand&utm_term=sitelink-donate-in-someones-honor&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwYHPksv27QIVnimzAB3r5ApkEAAYASACEgJatPD_BwE
Please sign the Tribute Wall and share a memory of Walter.